A shortfall in deliveries of industrial diesel purchased from Israel has kept Gaza's only power plant shut for most of the last week. Blackouts last up to 20 hours a day in Gaza City, where electricity from other sources is being rationed.
On Wednesday, the territory's largest flour mill shut down when it ran out of grain; 27 of Gaza's 47 bakeries were reported closed Thursday. Many Gazans baked bread at home from U.N.-supplied flour.
Hamas suspended welfare payments to 98,000 Gazans after shipments of cash from the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank were turned back.
Israeli officials say the accounts of shortages are exaggerated to stir sympathy for Gaza. Yet for two weeks the same officials, citing security concerns, have barred reporters from entering Gaza.
Executives of 15 international media groups, including The Times, have signed a letter to Olmert protesting the rare restriction on journalists.
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boudreaux@latimes.com
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Special correspondent Rushdi abu Alouf in Gaza City contributed to this report.
