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🗞️ Driving the news: Gaza's only power plant has been shut down due to a lack of fuel, a consequence of Israel's intensified blockade on the region
• This comes amidst heightened tensions after Hamas militants reportedly killed 1,300 Israelis and abducted 150. Israeli retaliatory actions have led to over 1,350 casualties in Gaza
🔭 The context: Israel's actions have not only been limited to airstrikes but also include cutting off essential supplies like food, water, and medical provisions to Gaza, setting the stage for a potential humanitarian disaster
• This recent blockade intensifies an ongoing electricity crisis that has plagued Gaza since 2017, resulting in power being available only sporadically throughout the day
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The blackout further cripples Gaza’s communication with the external world and within, and potentially jeopardizes the functioning of medical facilities
• With backup generators in hospitals expected to run out of fuel, the situation might escalate into a major health catastrophe
⏭️ What's next: The most pressing concern is the impending lack of power in Gaza's hospitals. This would be catastrophic for the injured in need of urgent medical attention
• The International Committee of the Red Cross has cautioned that treatment centers could become "morgues" if generators stop
💬 One quote: “Without electricity we cannot be in contact with our loved ones or check the news... As a humanitarian, I will not be able to do any of the work that I have been doing to try and respond as much as we can” (Mahmoud Shalabi, Medical Aid for Palestinians)
📈 One stat: On a particular day, all the patients treated at a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gaza City were children aged between 10 and 14 years, signifying the vulnerability of women and children during airstrikes
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