Israel's state-owned electric company has enforced 45-minute power black-outs in two cities in West Bank.

This is supposedly to pressure the Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises control over West Bank, to pay its debt amounting to $492 million.

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In a statement, the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) explains it had long warned the Palestine Authority about its huge debt over the years, but so far, the agency has not found a solution to the problem.

Palestinians in West Bank rely solely on the electricity supplied by IEC.

Nablus Mayor Ghassan Al-Shaka'a confirms some areas in the city have experienced power interruptions.

He, however, does not believe the Palestine Authority's failure to pay its debt is the real reason behind the imposition of the black-outs.

He suspects, '"this is a collective punishment" and thinks that the IEC's move is politically motivated.

The mayor warns that cutting off the power supply in his city will do more damage to the Palestinian economy.

He says Nablus is already in financial trouble after Israel withheld the monthly transfer of over $100 million in tax revenues it collected from the people, on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

Nablus is located in the northern city of West Bank with a population of more than 126,000. It is a Palestinian commercial and cultural center.

Jenin City also lies in West Bank's northern part. It serves as administrative center and is also a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns.

Some observers say Israel is putting pressure on West Bank these days, after the Palestine Authority decided late last year to apply for membership in the International Criminal Court based in the Netherlands.

TagsIsrael, West Bank