A map showing Gaza's power sources and the electricity grid interconnections between Israel and Gaza, from March 2014. Photo: UN-OCHA.

On the first day of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Israel Electric Corporation employees on Tuesday night began repairing power grids that were damaged due to rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government said on Wednesday.

The IEC crew was from the Be’er Sheva district and were following instructions from political leaders and had been authorized by the IDF in full coordination with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

In a statement, the government said, “Repairing the lines that deliver electricity to Gaza requires very meticulous and complex work, under difficult working conditions. IDF soldiers are guarding the IEC employees with tanks and APCs.”

IEC provides 120 megawatts of electricity to Gaza on 10 high voltage lines, most of which were damaged by rocket fire. There are also a number of damaged power lines within the Gaza Strip, it said.