(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Following is an excerpt from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s remarks on Tuesday, 19 Sivan, at the signing of a roof agreement for Be’er Yaakov:

“In recent days, I have heard erroneous explanations regarding the issue of electricity in Gaza. It needs to be understood that the issue of electricity in Gaza is subject to a disagreement between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

“Hamas is demanding that the PA pay for the electricity and the PA is refusing to do so. This is an internal Palestinian argument. In any case, I would like to make it clear that Israel has no interest in escalation and any analysis to the contrary is mistaken. But we are interested in security and our policy on security is clear and unchanging.”

YWN-ISRAEL reported in April that Ramallah announced it would no longer pay for Gaza electric. This was followed by a recent decision by Israel’s Security Cabinet, that electricity to Gaza would be cut by 35% due to the ongoing dispute and Israel’s inability to collect funds owed.

In the meantime, Hamas on Monday 18 Sivan issued a warning to Israel and the PA, that if electricity is cut, it would “lead to an explosion”.

Residents of Israel’s southern communities fear that if electric to Gaza is cut, rocket attacks may escalate, Yisrael Hayom reports.

Roof Agreement signing in Be’er Yaakov

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)