The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Gaza City

Gaza was in darkness early Monday after its only power plant shut down for lack of fuel as Israel kept up a blockade of the Hamas-run territory in retaliation for rocket fire, despite warnings of a humanitarian crisis.

The closure of the plant, which accounts for 30 percent of the population's needs, plunged entire city blocks in Gaza City into darkness, and was set to sharply worsen power cuts already hitting the impoverished coastal strip.

"We have had to close the power plant for want of fuel," its director Rafiq Mliha told reporters, warning of "very serious consequences for residents, but also for the operation of hospitals and water treatment plants."