A rare good news from Gaza
The lights are going back on in the Gaza Strip, in a rare piece of positive news from the blockaded Palestinian enclave.
In recent days, residents say they have received up to 16 hours of mains electricity a day, compared with as little as four previously.
UN humanitarian officials report an average of between nine and 11 hours per day since October 25.
It is the result of a landmark six-month deal, part of efforts to end unrest along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip that has raised fears of a fourth war since 2008.
The deal emerged amid ongoing indirect negotiations between the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas and Israel, mediated by the UN and Egypt, in hopes of reaching a long-term truce.
The result is rates of power the likes of which some Gazans say they can barely remember.
Coupled with pre-existing electricity delivered from Israel, Gaza now has about 200 megawatts a day, said Mohammed Thabet, spokesman for the Gazan energy company.
It is short of the 400-500 megawatts needed for full power, but enough to see service double or more.
The tentative results are showing in the enclave's beleaguered economy: companies able to work longer, restaurant costs falling, and even an increase in ice cream.
Last month's deal sees Qatar pay $60 million for fuel delivered to Gaza's sole power station. The deliveries are sent through Israel, which agreed on condition the United Nations monitors them to avoid interference by Hamas, which it accuses of diverting humanitarian aid to make missiles and arms.
The deal was made without the backing of the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank and run by president Mahmud Abbas.
On Friday, Gaza saw its calmest Friday protests since demonstrations began in March killing more than 200 protesters.
The electricity deal may yet be a false dawn. Western diplomats say there can be no major rebuilding of Gaza while Hamas remains in control.
But for now residents are taking advantage of the power boost -- with at least one downside. Umm Yusef, who lives in a crumbling house with her five kids in Gaza City, said of her children: "They used to study more. Now you can't even talk to them -- they are watching the TV!"
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