PA: Hamas stealing Gaza hospitals' fuel

By Jay Colbe



The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry on Thursday accused Hamas of robbing fuel stockpiles in two hospitals in the Gaza Strip.



A statement published by the ministry claimed that Hamas had been stealing fuel from the European Hospital in the Strip for use in the group's operations.



"The fuel was supplied to hospitals in order to satisfy their needs, in wake of the blockade imposed on Gaza following Hamas's takeover," continued the statement.



For three days, Hamas has been preventing Gaza fuel companies from receiving fuel allocations sent from Ramallah. According to a Palestine Press news agency report, Hamas was stealing fuel and medical supplies sent from the PA Health Ministry in Ramallah to Gaza hospitals.



Reportedly, Hamas had been using the fuel for cars belonging to senior group officials and the medical equipment was being transferred to hospitals under Hamas control.



Last week, the High Court of Justice approved the government decision to cut fuel supplies to the Strip in response to Kassam rocket attacks and gave the state 12 days to provide more details regarding planned electricity cuts.



Gaza gas stations protested the High Court decision and announced that they were refusing to accept from Israel even the amount of fuel allowed because the drastic reduction.