Israeli defense officials said Thursday that they have worked out a tentative deal for Egypt to become the main electricity supplier to the Gaza Strip.
The officials said the agreement stems from Israel's desire to cut off all ties with the Gaza Strip. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but remains the area's main power supplier.
The deal must still be finalized. But when it's complete, Egypt is expected to build a power line to supply 150 megawatts to Gaza.
Israel has imposed a blockade on the territory in recent months in an effort to force Gaza's rulers of the Hamas Islamic group to stop rocket fire into southern Israel. The Israeli sanctions include small cuts in electricity supplies.