GAZA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Power outage widened in the Gaza Strip after overload damaged some of the electricity networks that directly provide the territory with power from Israel, a Palestinian official said Monday.

    "The stopping of the power plant and the damage in the power lines left 70 percent of Gaza Strip powerless," said Kanaan Obaid, deputy director of the Palestinian Power Authority.

    The breakdown of electricity networks worsens the blackout in the Hamas-ruled enclave as the only power station in the Gaza Strip, which provides electricity for a quarter of the population, has been shut down since Thursday due to lack of fuel.

    Israel provides the territory with 70 percent of electricity, while 5 percent is received from Egypt.

    With the new shortage, "hospitals and water treatment stations became disimmune from blackout," Obaid warned.

    Israeli refusal to allow entry of spare parts, cables and maintenance equipment to Gaza adds to the crisis, Obaid said.

    Israel sealed off crossing points into Gaza on Nov. 4 since an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire was shattered by resumption of violence.