Turkey is sending a floating power plant to Gaza after its sole power station was hit during an Israeli attack at the end of July.

Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz revealed the plan for a ship to anchor off the coast of Gaza yesterday after a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Dr Omer Kittaneh.

The 100 MW floating power plant is reportedly to be provided by shipbuilder Karadeniz Holding.

Explaining the move, Mr Yildiz said the elderly, patients in hospitals and schools had electricity needs to be meet.

He said: “These [are] Islamic topics, but also humanitarian issues.”

Gaza has been bombarded with shells by its neighbour in the recent offensive, with the UN estimating the Palestinian death toll has reached 1,976 while 64 Israeli Defence Force soldiers are reported to have been killed.

Yesterday the two nations had extended a five-day temporary ceasefire for 24 hours but rockets were fired from both sides, according to the UN’s humanitarian office (UN OCHA).

A daily report from the body yesterday stated extra fuel is needed in Gaza to run backup generators at essential facilities including water, sanitation and health.