Gaza's only power plant destroyed in Israel's most intense air strike yet

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Flames and clouds of black smoke billowed over Gaza's only power plant on Tuesday after it was destroyed during the most relentless and widespread Israeli bombardment of the current conflict. At least 100 people were killed, according to Gaza health officials.

"The power plant is finished," said its director, Mohammed al-Sharif, signalling a new crisis for Gaza's 1.8 million people, who were already enduring power cuts of more than 20 hours a day.

Amnesty International said the crippling of the power station amounted to "collective punishment of Palestinians". The strike on the plant will worsen already severe problems with Gaza's water supply, sewage treatment and power supplies to medical facilities.

"We need at least one year to repair the power plant, the turbines, the fuel tanks and the control room," said Fathi Sheik Khalil of the Gaza energy authority. "Everything was burned." He said crew members who had been trapped by the fire for several hours were evacuated.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/gaza-power-plant-destroyed-israeli-airstrike-100-palestinians-dead

Collective punishment is a war crime.

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1. Yes, collective punishment is a war crime. (nt)