Middle East

Egypt stops gas exports to Israel; food distribution resumes in Gaza

Article published on the 2008-11-18 Latest update 2008-11-18 16:50 TU

A Palestinian prepares to smuggle fuel into Gaza
(Photo: Reuters)

Egypt must stop supplying gas to Israel, its former foe, and consult with parliament before resuming operations, an egyptian court ruled Tuesday. The court was responding to a case brought by a former diplomat, Ibrahim Yussri, after gas supplies to Israel began in February as part of a 15-year deal.

The reportedly 2.5 billion-dollar deal, penned in 2005, is giving 1.7 billion cubic metres of Egyptian natural gas to Israel. The gas had been shipped through a new pipeline that runs from El-Arish to the Israeli port Ashkelon. The gas is sourced from a field in the north Sinai peninsula.

Egyptian opposition party the Muslim Brotherhood has opposed this shipment because Israel has continued to blockade the 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the UN resumed food distribution in Gaza on Tuesday following the first shipment of supplies in two weeks. The UN warned that aid supplies were only for half of the Gazan population, and would soon run out unless Israel eases its oppressive blockade.

Israel bowed to international pressure recently and allowed some industrial fuel to be delivered to Gaza's only power plant. 

But the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which helps provide aid to Palestinians, said thousands of dollars worth of powdered milk was lost after Israeli officials slashed the packages for inspection.

"Babies should not be punished by being deprived of milk. I am not aware of babies firing rockets or baby milk being used to power rockets," said Chris Gunness, UNRWA Spokesman.