Israel rescinds ban on Qatari fuel for Gaza amid continued border violence

Liberman had initially said that the Qatari fuel would be restored only if the violence was halted.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF, REUTERS
A fuel tanker bound for the Gaza power plant is seen in the central Gaza Strip October 9, 2018 (photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS)
A fuel tanker bound for the Gaza power plant is seen in the central Gaza Strip October 9, 2018
(photo credit: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / REUTERS)
Israel has rescinded its ban the entry of Qatari funded fuel into Gaza, even though border riots continued on Tuesday.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s office late Tuesday night announced the end of the ban.
The Qatari funded fuel for the Gaza power plant to help ease the electricity crisis is expected to enter Gaza through its commercial crossing at Kerem Shalom. The 2 million Palestinians in Gaza live on only four or five hours of electricity a day.
Liberman had initially said that the Qatari fuel would be restored only if the violence was halted.
He had initially closed the pedestrian crossing at Erez and the commercial crossing at Kerem Shalom, including for gas and fuel last week. But Sunday he lifted all those restrictions.
Israeli troops shot and killed a Gazan youth on Tuesday during a protest on the Gaza border and wounded seven others, a Palestinian medical official said.
Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesman for Gaza's health ministry, said 17-year-old Muntaser al-Baz died in hospital from being shot in the head by Israeli troops.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said soldiers had come under attack near the border fence and used riot dispersal means and live fire and had no details of Palestinian casualties who were on the Gaza side of the border.
She said one Gazan breached the fence trying to throw an explosive device at the troops and was shot.
Palestinians have been protesting along the border since March 30. Since the protests began, 208 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.