Palestinians say the electricity situation has deteriorated Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are fasting in the holy month of Ramadan this year in darkness as power cuts have become an everyday occurrence .
Many people are forced to have their Iftar meal (breaking of the fast) in public places due to the lack of electricity and the high temperatures in their homes.
The power cuts are mainly a result of a fuel shortage following the closure of the smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the impoverished Gaza Strip.
But Palestinians in Gaza are also experiencing a lack of food items and raw materials due to the decision by Egypt to shut the tunnels earlier this month, following the ouster of former president Mohammed Morsi.
El-Ghozy abu-Alaa el-Oshy, a Gaza resident, said he disliked having to leave his house for Iftar but he had no choice because of the high temperatures this Ramadan.
The Gazan said many people end up having Iftar on the beach in Gaza. He blamed the current crisis in Gaza on the increasing price of commodities during this month.
The electricity company in Gaza said it would adopt a plan to resolve the power cut problem, but no noteworthy progress has been made so far. Many residents have complained that the situation has deteriorated during Ramadan.