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The fuel shortage has forced more than 80 percent of Gaza taxis to stop working. (Photo through Google) |
GAZA CITY — The suspension of fuel supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip has grounded thousands of vehicles and forced many Palestinians to experiment.
"We had to take some tough decision," Ahmed Abu-Haseera, a taxi driver, told IslamOnline.net.
"I know that the engine could break down over using cooking oil and that I would not find spare parts to repair it because of the siege," he recognizes.
"But what else can I do? I have a family to support and the taxi is my only source of income."
Israel has been closing the Gaza Strip's exits to the outside world since Hamas took control of the territory last June after routing rival Fatah.
It has completely locked down the coastal area since January, banning food and fuel shipment into the strip, home to 1.6 million Palestinians.
This has forced more than 80 percent of Gaza taxis to stop working, according to the Popular Committee Against Siege.
"The cooking oil is very sticky which could cause the engine to break down," notes Mohamed Al-Dabs, a mechanic.
"But the people are risking their lives to make a living."
Powerless
Despite the risks, Kamal Al-Gayyar, a driver, has no other option.
"I initially refused to use cooking oil to run my car but I changed my mind when I saw my friends doing this," he notes.
"I will take the risk. I need to put food on the table," fumed Al-Gayyar.
"I used to work as a fiberglass technician but I lost my job because of the Israeli siege. I don't want to be a jobless again."
Using cooking oil as fuel is a good business for some Gazans.
"We got a fortune," Mohamed Fathi, a restaurant owner, told IOL.
He said many people are coming to his restaurant to buy used cooking oil.
"We are selling it at high prices," he said, adding that the prices rocketed to 10 shekels per liter.
Palestinians, desperate as they are because of the long-running siege, are throwing in jokes about the new creative way to run cars.
"What does your car taste potato or falafel?" a passenger asked jokingly.
"No. It tastes like hamburger," answered the driver.
"I'm using Ketchup and mayonnaise to run my car," quips another.
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