GAZA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Monday slammed the Israeli cabinet's decision to reduce electric power supply to Gaza Strip, warning of potential consequences to this move.
Hamas spokesman Abdulatif Al-Qanou told Xinhua that the Israeli decision "is a further restriction of the Israeli siege on Gaza Strip and a new pressure that will lead to negative results."
Al-Qanou said Hamas movement "warns Israeli occupation authorities against the continuation of it's policy of sieging Gaza and the results it bears."
Israeli cabinet decided Sunday to reduce electric power supply to Gaza "as per a request by the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)," reported Haaretz daily.
The Israeli newspaper reported that the debate over the power supply policy comes amidst fears of humanitarian crises.
The electricity distribution company in Gaza said it has not yet received any notification from the Israeli side regarding the supply reduction, while it warned that such a step would be considered a humanitarian disaster.
Gaza already suffers as a result of the stoppage of the only power plant since last January due to a dispute between Hamas run government in Gaza and the National Unity Government in the West Bank over taxes required to operate the plant.
The Ramallah based unity government blames Hamas for not allowing it to operate in Gaza Strip, describing Hamas rule in Gaza as a "de facto government."
The besieged coastal enclave requires 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity while it only receives 210 MW; of which 120 MW is supplied from Israel, 30 MW from Egypt and the remainder is generated through the local power plant.
