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Are Gaza's mosques wasting electricity?

In light of the Gaza Strip's electricity crisis, some Gazans believe mosques are largely contributing to the problem with unnecessary electricity consumption.

Palestinians leave a mosque after attending prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza city, June 17, 2016. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem - RTX2GSDI
Palestinians leave a mosque after attending prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, June 17, 2016. — REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Since 2006 when Israel destroyed the only power plant operating in Gaza in retaliation for the kidnapping of its soldier Gilad Shalit by the Palestinian resistance factions, the Gaza Strip has been suffering from a severe electricity crisis, which is only growing worse with every passing year. This is due to several reasons, mainly the limited energy resources and the population boom, with about 1.9 million people now living in Gaza.

Since the beginning of Ramadan on June 6, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company has been reducing supply hours while temperatures are rising.

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