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Where even emergency generators break down By Amira Hass Tags: israel news In addition to an overwhelming influx of the wounded, Gaza's hospitals are facing a new problem: They are rapidly running out of fuel for the generators they depend on for power. Much of the Gaza Strip, including all of Gaza City, has been without electricity since Saturday night, when the Israeli ground operation destroyed the Strip's main power line, along with six other lines that transport electricity from Israel to various parts of Gaza. A line that carries electricity from Egypt to the Rafah area was also brought down by the Israeli attack, and Gaza's own power station has been closed since December 30 due to a lack of fuel. The hospitals are thus entirely dependent on generators. Advertisement This presents another problem: Nonstop usage makes it more likely a generator will break down. But there is no way to repair any breakdowns because there are no spare parts: Israel has not allowed such parts into Gaza for two years now. Dr. Hassan Khalaf, director of Gaza City's Shifa Hospital, told the nonprofit organization Gisha yesterday that he has asked the Red Cross and World Health Organization to coordinate a fuel delivery with Israel. So far, however, his pleas have produced no results. Moreover, at best, the generators supply a weak current that is insufficient to run the hospitals' oxygen tents properly. That endangers the patients' lives. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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