Israel

Gaza's Sole Power Plant Shuts Down, Israel Forms Unity Government

OCT 11 2023·Updated JUN 12 2024

Story

Image credit: Chris McGrath [via Getty Images]

The Facts

The head of the Gaza Energy Authority announced that the last operational power plant in the enclave stopped working on Wednesday for lack of fuel, leaving only generators to power hospitals and maintain other critical services.
The Wall Street Journal
This blackout comes as Israel has adopted a "total" blockade on the Gaza Strip in retaliation against the Hamas surprise attack last weekend, cutting off the electricity supply and blocking the entry of food and fuel to the densely-populated enclave. The fuel stock to operate generators will reportedly end on Thursday.
Al Jazeera
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Unity party leader Benny Gantz announced the establishment of an emergency unity government, some four days after the single deadliest day in the country's history.
The Times of Israel
The new war-time Cabinet, which will focus only on issues of war, will consist of Netanyahu, Gantz, and current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for now, as Opposition Leader Yair Lapid didn't immediately respond to the offer to join the Cabinet.
ap
Israel has had several national unity governments throughout its history, including that of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol in 1967, which was formed on the eve of the Six Day War. Gantz and Netanyahu previously worked together in a rotation government in 2020-21.
www.ft.com
The death toll from the Israel-Hamas conflict has risen to over 2,300 people — 1,100 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and 1,200 Israelis, according to the nation's military. The US State Dept. confirmed on Wednesday that at least 22 Americans have been killed after the weekend attacks.
Sky News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Pro-Palestine narrative

Extraordinary violence has been committed on both sides, with a humanitarian catastrophe in the making in the Gaza Strip, as the Israeli occupation forces are collectively punishing harmless Palestinian civilians with a complete siege that has cut off food, water, and fuel in addition to continued bombardments targeting residential zones.

Middle East Monitor

Pro-Israel narrative

While it's obvious that not all Palestinians are pro-terrorism, civilian suffering was foreseen by Hamas when it decided to carry out atrocities against Israel. The so-called moderate Palestinian Authority has exacerbated the violence by calling on its people to kill Israelis. While Israeli forces try to mitigate civilian suffering, they have been left with no option but to repel a violent attack.