Turkish delegation arrives in Gaza Strip to boost development
The technical study group from Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is visiting the Gaza Strip to assess the coastal enclave’s energy needs.
By ARIEL BEN SOLOMONA Turkish flag flutters atop the Turkish embassy as an Israeli flag is seen nearby, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 26, 2016(photo credit: REUTERS)
With the ink barely dry on the June 27 Turkish-Israeli agreement to reestablish relations, Ankara is busy aiding development in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.A senior Turkish official, who did not want to be named, told The Jerusalem Post Tuesday regarding the technical study group’s visit, “We are pleased that solid progress is being made to assist the Palestinian people by addressing the energy crisis in Gaza.”The technical study group from Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is visiting the Gaza Strip to assess the coastal enclave’s energy needs.The delegation, which has met with Israeli and Palestinian officials, will produce a report documenting Gaza’s production, transmission and distribution of energy, and recommend solutions for fixing the chronic electricity crisis there, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported.The delegation arrived on Sunday evening, and will submit its report to Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish cabinet.A number of Turkish companies have expressed interest in building electricity infrastructure projects, according to the report.Last week, a Turkish ship delivered 11,000 tons of cargo, including clothing, toys and medicines to Ashdod port. Under the supervision of the Turkish Red Crescent Society, more than 500 trucks transferred the aid to the Gaza Strip through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing. The shipment was the first aid to arrive from Turkey since Israel and Turkey ended the six-year rupture in their ties.Reuters contributed to this report.