Police in Hamas-ruled Gaza have detained some 120 taxi drivers for allegedly spreading "rumors" about the Strip's worst power crisis in years.

Gaza's attorney general confirmed that the drivers have been taken into custody.

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Residents in Gaza told the Associated Press that there is "growing talk" suggesting that the Islamic militant Hamas is keeping separate supplies of fuel for its loyalists.

The detentions began over the weekend and signaled that Gaza’s Hamas rulers are increasingly concerned about the political backlash over the crippling shortages of fuel and electricity.

The two-month-old crisis has triggered 18-hour-a-day blackouts and forced gas stations to close.

At the root of the crisis is a standoff between Hamas and neighboring Egypt over the delivery and payment for fuel.

Over the weekend, Israel transferred 450,000 liters of diesel fuel to Gaza Strip with aim of alleviating the grave fuel shortage plaguing the Strip.

Elior Levy contributed to this report

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