Security forces in Hamas-controlled northern Gaza have broken up protests by thousands of people calling for an end to power cuts.<br /><br /> For weeks nearly two million residents have been coping with less than half their usual electricity supply, barely four hours per day in the middle of winter.<br /><br /> Hamas officers began firing into the air as the crowd marched from Jebaliya refugee camp towards the state-run electricity company’s headquarters.<br /><br /> A spokesperson for the Islamist movement said they wanted to prevent the protesters from storming the building.<br /><br /> The plant, which was heavily damaged during a conflict with Israel in 2014, remains at half of its potential capacity. Officials say they need almost 500 million euros to get the power network running properly.<br />
