According to Palestinian Journalists, Hamas has artificially staged blackouts.

Less than 25% of the electricity in Gaza comes from the plant shut down (despite having fuel to continue operating).

Egypt provides 5% of Gaza's electrical needs and Israel directly provides more than 60% of Gaza's electricity and has made clear that they will not cut off the electricity despite the fact that more than 220 Qassam rockets have been fired into Israeli towns with the support of the Hamas government, killing and injuring more than 15 and causing millions of property damage.

Hamas, whose top leadership lives in Syria and which has refused to recognize Israel or return kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit since 2005 staged a coup against the Palestinian government in Gaza in 2007, has demonstrated its control over both Gaza and the rocket fire by increasing the fire as Israel has targeted Hamas military leaders for their use of the rockets. Numerous Fatah members have been killed by Hamas militia and while Gazans have been held hostage by Hamas' refusal to work toward peace (Hamas has only offered temporary truces, during which they have rearmed and reorganized), their leadership have continued to live in luxury.