News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Egyptian officials have denied reports according to which Egypt has agreed to supply electricity to Gaza, according to Israel Radio.  Earlier in the day Israeli defense officials said Egypt had tentatively agreed to become Gaza’s main power supplier, a position that until now has been filled by Israel despite the 2005 “Disengagement” from the area.

Egypt currently supplies approximately five percent of Gaza’s electricity, while Israel supplies roughly 70 percent.  According to the deal announced on Thursday morning, Egypt plans to build a 150-megawatt power line to Gaza that will be funded by the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia.