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Prime Minister Olmert and Egyptian President Mubarak. (Archives) Last update - 09:32 20/03/2008 Egypt agrees to take over as Gaza power supplier By Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Egypt, Israel, Gaza, power Israeli and Egyptian representatives agreed in principle Wednesday to a deal that would have Egypt replace Israel as the Gaza Strip's sole electricity provider. Under the deal, Egypt would set up a new power line from the Sinai Peninsula town of Arish to the nearby Gaza Strip. The 150-megawatt line would cost $35 million to set up, and would be operational within two years. Advertisement Egypt currently provides the Gaza Strip with only 7 megawatts of power, while Israel provides 124 megawatts via 10 different lines. A local power station produces the remainder. Security sources say the agreement will effectively free Israel from supplying Gaza with electricity, even though it does not specifically say so. Israel decided to reduce power supplies to Gaza in February to protest Qassam rocket fire on Israel by Palestinian militants. Palestinian Energy Committee chair Omar Katana, who is in charge of the project on the Palestinian side, is not affiliated with Hamas. Two weeks ago, he said the Egyptian plan would be funded by the Saudi Islamic Development Bank. Tenders will be issued over the next few days. Israeli security sources said the infrastructure minister and the Defense Ministry have been in talks with Egypt for a long time. The deal won the approval of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who is interested in severing ties with Gaza. "Ostensibly, we will lose our control of the Gaza power switch, but it also entails a huge advantage if we can transfer responsibility for electricity to Egypt," security officials said. Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to handle transfers of goods to Gaza, in partnership with Palestinian Authority officials loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, even though Hamas controls the coastal strip. The relevant PA ministry, for example, with offices in the West Bank city of Ramallah, still operates the Palestinian side of the Erez Crossing between Gaza and Israel. Since Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, some 5,000 Palestinians seeking medical aid and their companions have entered Israel. In addition, an average of 100 trucks carrying sesame seeds, lentils, wheat and other foodstuffs enter the Strip through the Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings every day. Before the second intifada broke out in 2000, more than 1,000 trucks entered Gaza via the same crossings every day. Channel 10 Wednesday aired the first pictures of the fence erected by the Egyptians along the border with Gaza, to replace the one that was overrun several months ago. The new barrier has numerous sniper positions and guard posts. Related articles: Gazans struggle to keep warm facing fuel, electricity shortages IDF allows transfer of vital medicine into the Gaza Strip PM: Negev residents showing 'endurance' despite rockets IDF: Gaza fuel cuts don't violate humanitarian duty Bookmark to del.icio.us   Getting online, already A gov't official is planning the first Web site 'to connect all Jews around the world'. Naim to meet you French-Israeli folk singer Yael Naim isn't worried about becoming too commercial.   1.   Terminology reworked 02:25  |  Axel 20/03/08   2.   It`s about time Egypt stepped up 03:44  |  Doc Holliday 20/03/08   3.   A standing ovation 04:10  |  Al 20/03/08   4.   New York blackouts 05:24  |  Pablo B 20/03/08   5.   Gazans shouldn`t be subjected to the tyrannical nature of Israel 06:31  |  Dutch 20/03/08   6.   Two Sides of A Coin to Electricity Agreement 07:42  |  The Archives 20/03/08   7.   Egypt and the ?Palestinians?. 08:04  |  Jean Van Daem 20/03/08   8.   Axel - What are you getting at?? 08:30  |  dovvod 20/03/08   9.   When shown a lemon, view it as lemonade 09:05  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   10.   get out my life zion 09:11  |  gaza 20/03/08   11.   #5, The Archives 09:14  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/08   12.   About time!!! 09:23  |  Adrian de Klerk 20/03/08   13.   Question for Adrian de Clerk # 10 10:04  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   14.   to #10 , gazan 10:21  |  Marcelo 20/03/08   15.   to #13 click the fool 10:28  |  Marcelo 20/03/08   16.   Yes,gaza #10 10:36  |  Hastaroth 20/03/08   17.   Question for the Clickprick #13 10:41  |  Hastaroth 20/03/08   18.   #13 Clickfoo; 10:42  |  Adrian de Klerk 20/03/08   19.   It does become more and more apparent that 10:44  |  Avnera 20/03/08   20.   How could this be???? 11:00  |  Incredulous 20/03/08   21.   to gaza #10:ok, be that way! Just wait to see how Egypt feels.... 11:01  |  Pavel 20/03/08   22.   Egypt had an agreement with Gaza for full elec supply 2 years ago 11:05  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 20/03/08   23.   Israelis should not be subject to Gaza terror 11:09  |  Mike 20/03/08   24.   To Clickfool 11:11  |  Mike 20/03/08   25.   #13; Clickfool you don`t get, do you? 11:39  |  Doc Holliday 20/03/08   26.   Hmm, who was getting paid for the electricity? 12:16  |  sh 20/03/08   27.   GOOD LET EGYPT SUPPORT THESE LOSERS. 12:21  |  petra 20/03/08   28.   Great Precedent 12:27  |  ERSB 20/03/08   29.   #1 Axel from Germany 12:29  |  MR 20/03/08   30.   Responses Tinged by Anti-Semitism 12:30  |  ERSB 20/03/08   31.   #9 Clicky....this has been in the works for a while 12:36  |  Lynn 20/03/08   32.   Pablo B 12:46  |  MR 20/03/08   33.   For Hastaroth # 17 12:48  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   34.   For Adrian de Klerk, again # 18 12:51  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   35.   Clickfool`s profit nonsense.... 12:56  |  The Judge 20/03/08   36.   I`m sure Israel does, Doc Holliday # 25 12:57  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   37.   Wonderful News. Israel rejoices. About time. 13:31  |  Jo 20/03/08   38.   #1 - Axel, perhaps you should study English 13:33  |  JES 20/03/08   39.   Axel of the Axis 13:39  |  observer 20/03/08   40.   WRITE ON DOWOD and MR! 13:46  |  observer 20/03/08   41.   clickfool #30 13:49  |  ka 20/03/08   42.   To Clickfool 13:54  |  Giora 20/03/08   43.   For the ClickPrick again #33 Part 01 14:04  |  Hastaroth 20/03/08   44.   For the ClickPrick #33 Part 02 14:07  |  Hastaroth 20/03/08   45.   #1 Axel...everyone has to pay someone 14:09  |  Lynn 20/03/08   46.   Egyptians erect wall with guard towers? 14:15  |  Lynn 20/03/08   47.   # 34 Clicky ....it is a positive step 14:23  |  Lynn 20/03/08   48.   For ERSB # 30 14:27  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   49.   Axel`s ego 14:32  |  Axel Admirer 20/03/08   50.   #36; Clickfool regarding peace 14:35  |  Doc Holliday 20/03/08   51.   Clickfool 14:55  |  Byron 20/03/08   52.   Electricity for Gaza 15:24  |  Mordo 20/03/08   53.   ANTISEMEITES - WHY DOSENT EGYPT OPEN HER BORDERS FOR ALL PALS?? 15:37  |  Chris 20/03/08   54.   Stupidity: When the excuse becomes the goal 15:39  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   55.   Little by little the evil state is being driven back!Next step 15:56  |  lakshmi 20/03/08   56.   Mordo 16:04  |  Byron 20/03/08   57.   Gaza Power 16:10  |  Randy 20/03/08   58.   # 45 lynn 16:31  |  Axel 20/03/08   59.   So, Who`s Going To Pay For The Juice? 16:35  |  Jeff Northridge 20/03/08   60.   # 29 MR 16:36  |  Axel 20/03/08   61.   Sgt. Jeff Northridge #59 16:53  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   62.   Axel - Electricity is not free 17:23  |  Avrum 20/03/08   63.   #62 ASvrum 17:35  |  jehiel chaleff 20/03/08   64.   Tosefta # 61 Pretty Flakey 18:07  |  Jeff Northridge 20/03/08   65.   For # 61 Tosefta on the cost of electricity supply to Gaza 18:21  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 20/03/08   66.   clikfool I am a Zionist, and a Proud one! you are a hater .... 19:15  |  Robert/montreal 20/03/08   67.   Hey Clikfool not one person here is pro your views! 19:23  |  Robert/Montreal 20/03/08   68.   Lakshmi, the best thing for gaza a new beginning with Egypt 19:32  |  Robert/Montreal 20/03/08   69.   #64 Shhhhhhhh Jeff don`t tell em! 19:54  |  Robert/Montreal 20/03/08   70.   archives, mordo, Jeff, tosefta 19:55  |  tadchase 20/03/08   71.   Clickfool 20:02  |  tadchase 20/03/08   72.   Cost of electricity (Darth Zaider #65) 20:10  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   73.   Sgt. Jeff`s worries #64 20:10  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   74.   Great! shouldnt have to supply power, food, meds, to those who 20:19  |  jj 20/03/08   75.   Tadchase #71 Now why would Israel want to do that 20:29  |  Robert/Montreal 20/03/08   76.   Tosefta - onlly a fool 20:40  |  Mark Lincoln 20/03/08   77.   Lakshmi - it does appear 20:41  |  Mark Lincoln 20/03/08   78.   Yo roberto montreal 21:14  |  tadchase 20/03/08   79.   Tosefta # 73 What Difference Does That Make? 21:29  |  Jeff Northridge 20/03/08   80.   #54, "a separate Gaza will become a failed state" 21:33  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/08   81.   Spinning theories (Jeff Northridge #77) 21:49  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   82.   #34 Clickfool - again 21:50  |  Adrian de Klerk 20/03/08   83.   Yo Tadchase I admit a cewl dude 21:51  |  Robert/Montreal 20/03/08   84.   News from the Bird from Outerspace #80 21:53  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   85.   Who is the Abominable Slowman? 22:05  |  Avi Issacharoff 20/03/08   86.   How evil of Israel, taking money for electricity 22:06  |  x-ray 20/03/08   87.   #84, it is failed, state, or not state 22:46  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/08   88.   Tosefta # 81 Understanding How The World Operates 23:15  |  Jeff Northridge 20/03/08   89.   For Tadchase # 71 23:15  |  Clickfool 20/03/08   90.   Egypt Gets Subsidized by the U.S. 23:18  |  Jane 20/03/08   91.   #90, Jane 23:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/08   92.   For # 72 Tosefta on the cost of electricity for Gaza 23:49  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 20/03/08   93.   Too bad you don`t pay attention to news (Jeff N #88) 23:52  |  Tosefta 20/03/08   94.   68 Robert /Montreal,jerusalem will never be israel`s! 23:58  |  lakshmi 20/03/08   95.   CF # 89 00:00  |  ChanahS 21/03/08   96.   Martian logic (Bird from Outerspace #84) 00:07  |  Tosefta 21/03/08   97.   Too bad you don`t pay attention to news (Jeff N #88) 00:14  |  Tosefta 21/03/08   98.   #93 Erm...have you seen a map recently? 00:20  |  JP 21/03/08   99.   Clickfool 00:27  |  Jane 21/03/08   100.   Paying for electricity (Jane #90; D. Zaider #92) 00:31  |  Tosefta 21/03/08   101.   #54, Tosefta 00:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/08   102.   lakshmi`s delusions 00:55  |  ChanahS 21/03/08   103.   #43 Hastaroth. Israel is the one... 00:58  |  Maureen Ann 21/03/08   104.   #94 lakshmi - wrong again 181 was destroyed 01:09  |  Adrian de Klerk 21/03/08   105.   Toseffa 01:13  |  Jane 21/03/08   106.   #89 Clickfool 01:27  |  US Citizen 21/03/08   107.   102 Chanah S & 104 de Klerk,forget your revisionist history,pay 01:44  |  lakshmi 21/03/08   108.   Jane, are you visiting the mouse, or have you moved? 01:55  |  Mark Lincoln 21/03/08   109.   Jane - the real world 02:02  |  Mark Lincoln 21/03/08   110.   Mark? 03:03  |  Jane 21/03/08   111.   #107 lakshmi -what revisionism??? 03:08  |  Adrian de Klerk 21/03/08   112.   Mark? 03:11  |  Jane 21/03/08   113.   Resolution 181 is dead and buried 03:13  |  Adrian de Klerk 21/03/08   114.   More justification for an Egyptian Nuke Plant 03:14  |  Pablo B 21/03/08   115.   lakshmo`s nerve 107 03:18  |  ChanahS 21/03/08   116.   Mark Lincoln #108 Surprise: You Approve of Collective Punishment? 03:52  |  Tim R 21/03/08   117.   Tosefta on electricity: please use less rhetoric if you want to d 03:52  |  Darth Zaider (Ed) 21/03/08   118.   So what is the downside for Israel if Egypt supplies gaza??? 04:35  |  Voice of Reason 21/03/08   119.   Better Idea 06:07  |  Danite 21/03/08   120.   #119, Danite 07:03  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/08   121.   Ed the Zaider 08:58  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 21/03/08   122.   Clickfool it`s only a means of control if you use it. 09:06  |  x-ray 21/03/08   123.   Egypt so inefficient that Gaza will keep Israeli power backup 09:09  |  x-ray 21/03/08   124.   hmm sh where did Israel try to block this deal? 09:12  |  x-ray 21/03/08   125.   Avi Issacharoff 09:15  |  Lesser mortal 21/03/08   126.   #103 Moron Ann in her fantasy lalaland 10:33  |  Hastaroth 21/03/08   127.   RETURN GAZA TO EGYPT!! 10:38  |  US CITIZEN 21/03/08   128.   For Chanah S #95 11:34  |  Clickfool 21/03/08   129.   #9-Lemonfool-Suck on it! 05:35  |  PK 22/03/08

Today Online Hezbollah: We have proof Israel killed Mughniyah Responses: 152 Gideon Levy: Blind int'l friendship enables Israel to kill, settle Responses: 179 Editorial: Swiss gas deal with Iran a disgrace, like WWII neutrality Responses: 162 Barak to Cheney: Iran is a threat to the region, the world Responses: 113 Jerusalem official denies reported truce offer to Hamas, Jihad Responses: 79 Rosner's Domain New Guest, Daniel Kurtzer: since '93 U.S. didn't help peace process succeed Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial I've known my rabbi for more than 20 years... (WTR) There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 03:13 Israel shifts stance on agreement with Hezbollah 03:07 Study: 'Big Brother' monitoring alive and well in Israeli workplace 05:40 Jewish Agency turns to Haredi donors as budget dwindles 04:27 Laser is future of anti-missile technology, despite doubts 06:33 U.S. Jewish movement embraces mixed marriages, reaches out to kids 04:22 Loving Jesus, fearing the neighbors in Ariel 06:19 The Singapore of the Mideast 03:10 Meretz in 'twilight of its years' according to own audit 06:38 Holocaust commission on treatment of survivors wraps up hearings 03:19 Hamas, Fatah officials in Yemen sign deal to revive direct talks 03:20 PM aide planning Website 'to connect all Jews around the world' 04:29 Barak to Cheney: Iran is threat to region, world Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

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