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The power shortage in the Gaza Strip could benefit from relief. Under an agreement reached in recent weeks, Qatar will finance the purchase of fuel for the Gaza power station.
The agreement, which is expected to come into force in the coming days, will allow for a significant increase in the electricity supply of Gaza residents. Israel hopes that this development, which should bring immediate improvement to the daily lives of residents, will reduce the risk of military confrontation with Hamas.
Gaza consumes about four hours of electricity a day. Qatar's aid, estimated at tens of millions of dollars, aims to raise the average to eight hours a day.
>> Analysis: Deadly clashes in Gaza: Hamas deliberately tests Israel
As Haaretz reported last week, talks on this issue have taken place in recent months as part of the UN envoy to the region, Nickolay Mladenov. Qatar was represented by his envoy to Israel and the territories, Mohammed al-Amedi. The most involved Israeli official was National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat. The conference of countries donating to the Palestinians took place decisively last week in New York alongside sessions of the UN General Assembly.
Previous talks had evoked the possibility of increasing Israel's electricity supply through the modernization of the electricity transmission line connecting Israel to Gaza, but this proposal was faced with difficulties because of the objection of the Palestinian Authority. Previous electricity agreements were linked to the Palestinian Authority 's legal and financial commitments. But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused any move to improve electricity supply in Gaza unless reconciliation talks between the PA and Hamas progress.
Despite Egyptian mediation efforts, the gap between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority remains wide. Hamas's refusal to subordinate its security services to the Palestinian Authority is at the heart of the conflict, even though the latter agrees to take back civilian authority in Gaza and redeploy its staff there.
>> Opinion: War in Gaza: Palestinians are dying. Israelis are dying. Only Hamas wins
In recent weeks, tension between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip has intensified. The group has accelerated the pace of protests along the border fence, which take place almost every night. Hamas' "night raiding units" planted explosive devices and hand grenades near the fence and their members crossed the fence to sabotage the construction of the anti-tunnel barrier.
Friday's bloodshed in the Gaza Strip – seven Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire, including two boys aged 12 and 14 and scores of wounded – were the worst in almost two months. According to the army, about 20,000 Palestinians took part in Friday's demonstrations, nearly double the number recorded the week before. In addition, the Palestinians have thrown more than 100 bombs and improvised grenades at the soldiers. These numbers are indicative of previous planning and preparation.
The Israeli Defense Forces fear that incidents will lead to a military clash in the Gaza Strip. In the context of ongoing clashes, a dispute has erupted between the Minister of Education, Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Bennett accused Lieberman of pursuing a "defeatist" policy towards Hamas. Lieberman claims that Bennett's attack for political reasons, assuming that early elections will soon be announced.
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