Israel officials have allowed Gaza’s power plant to receive fuel, after alerts about its forced shutdown were sent out. The shutdown today could have caused many problems by plunging large areas of Gaza into darkness.

The problem started on April 9 after a violent Palestinian attack, when Israel closed the Nahal Oz crossing, which was the only route for transporting fuel and supplying the power plant.

The Israeli military announced that one million liters of diesel were allowed into Gaza, powering the station for an additional three days. The Gaza City power plant supplies a third of the area’s electricity demand. The rest is used from the Israeli grid and also from Egypt.

The last shipment of diesel and cooking oil to Gaza took place about a week ago but the quantities were insufficient.

Israel’s policy for limiting fuel supplies is part of their strategy to force the cease of rocket fire into Israel. The Hamas militant group that runs Gaza has indeed limited its attacks but not yet fully abandoned them.

Even though the human organizations call the policy as an illegal collective punishment, Israel stands by its decision and insists that the measure is perfectly legal.

According to the Associated Press, yesterday, Gaza’s Hamas rulers announced to be willing to a cease-fire that will be limited to the small seaside territory and will also drop their demand that the West Bank would be included in any halt in fighting with Israel. The West Bank is ruled by moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is currently engaged in peace talks with Israel.