The head of the Energy Authority, Dhafer Melhem, announced that 70% of the electricity transmission and distribution networks had been destroyed due to the continuing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, for the 33rd day in a row, with losses estimated at about 80 million US dollars.

In an interview with Voice of Palestine Radio, Melhem pointed out that the occupation targeted solar cells, which are the only remaining source of energy in Gaza, and whose production does not exceed 5 megawatts.

He stated that about 70% of these cells have been destroyed to date, stressing that Israel has so far refused to bring fuel into the Gaza Strip despite continuous appeals from the international community and donor countries to put pressure on Israel to bring fuel at least for use in reserve generators in hospitals and for pumping, desalination, and water treatment stations. 

He stressed that Israel's prevention of basic services and its attempt to make the Gaza Strip an uninhabitable place is a war crime for which the occupying state must be held accountable.