GAZA: Cash strapped Gazans forced to sell their cars because of fuel shortages caused by Israeli imposed blockade

Record ID: 1531577

  • Title: GAZA: Cash strapped Gazans forced to sell their cars because of fuel shortages caused by Israeli imposed blockade
  • Date: 23rd January 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT CARS (5 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2008 13:58
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,Economic News
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHMOBZ5OC1OPCR5NK7E5XC7GY
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Some residents of Gaza City are forced to sell their cars as the Israeli imposed blockade has created fuel shortages and left many residents cash strapped.
    Israel's blockade of Gaza may have brought the economy of the impoverished coastal strip to a standstill and left many of the residents strapped for cash, but since Israel cut fuel supplies, Gaza's car market has witnessed a boost in business.
    Faced with severe fuel shortages and no money to keep up with the maintenance of their vehicle, many of Gaza's car owners are now deciding to sell their vehicles and use the money for other purposes.
    "I want to sell my car because there is no petrol or fuel, there is nothing in this city. We don't have enough money to buy petrol in the first place. So I've come to sell it," said Gaza resident Daoud Shana about why he decided to sell his car.
    "Parts are expensive, there are no tyres, no gas, no petrol, there is nothing. Employees don't go to work, there are no salaries. What can I say? I've come here to sell," added Hussam Abu Shahada, a resident of Gaza City.
    Large parts of the Gaza Strip were plunged into darkness on Sunday (January 20) when its main power plant shut down after Israel blocked fuel supplies and closed the border to the Hamas-run territory.
    Israel then resumed fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip's main power plant on Tuesday (January 22), offering limited respite from a blockade that plunged much of the Hamas-ruled territory into darkness and touched off international protests.
    U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had voiced her concerns to Israel, which has argued that sealing the borders could make the Palestinians stop rocket salvoes.
    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday (January 21) that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip might have to go without Israeli-supplied petrol for their cars as long as militants continue to fire rockets across the border. Olmert said: "As far as I'm concerned, all the residents of Gaza can walk."
    Israel has closed its border crossings with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, cutting fuel supplies to the territory's main power plant and petrol stations. The United Nations and the European Union have urged Israel to restore the flow of fuel.
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