Israel has enabled the entry of four large electricity converters to Gaza, as first quarter data for 2012 show that Gaza's economy continues to grow.
In the first quarter of this year, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) coordinated the export of 1.4 tons of produce from Gaza to European markets – more than was exported in all of 2011. This quarter saw the export of 639 tons of strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers, as compared to 448 tons of agricultural exports during 2011.
The IDF Website reports that the converters were donated by the United Nations Development Program (UNPD). They will be used "to improve the activity and electricity generation capacity at the power plant in the region."
The transport of the converters is the final step in an extensive project upgrading the power supply capacity of the power plant in Gaza from 80 megawatts to 120 MW within two months.
Israel continues to supply 124 megawatts of electricity to Gaza daily through ten power lines, in accordance with an agreement signed by the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and Israel's Dor Alon Energy company, with Egyptian involvement.
The supply of industrial diesel to the region was recently renewed, and on Monday 537,000 liters of diesel, 80,000 liters of gasoline and about 210 tons of gas were transferred to the power station in Gaza through Kerem Shalom. The transfer of similar quantities is expected to continue daily.
Israel continues to assist Gaza economically despite the terror war Gaza is waging against it. Israeli authorities believe that any alternative to this policy would have even worse results for Israel.