Gaza has effectively been under siege by Israel since Hamas came to power in 2007, but has received most of its electricity and fuel from Israel ever since, subsidised by the PA.
A similar blockade from the Egyptian side of the border has exasperated the problems for Gazans, with energy, food, fuel, medical supplies and building materials in short supply.
In April, the PA phased out energy payments for Gaza to Israel causing frequent power cuts in the besieged territory and severe pressure on regional hospitals.
The World Health Organisation warned in June that the blackouts threatened Gaza's health service provision and placed people's lives at real risk.