A number of Gush Etzion communities were without electricity for hours on Thursday night to Friday morning, erev Shabbos Shemos. It has been learned that Israel Electric Company officials have determined the power outrage was the result of intentional sabotage of power lines to the communities affected.

It appears a wire with a stone attached was hurled at the electric lines, leading to some type of short circuit. Communities left in the dark included Nokdim, S’dei Bar and Tekoa, in the eastern Gush Etzion area.

Electricity was partially restored on Friday morning. Many families made plans to leave home for Shabbos for they were uncertain when power would be restored and they were unable to prepare for Shabbos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)