Amid the ongoing Israeli war and strict blockade, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have improvised a new method to produce fuel used to power transportation and generators.
“We collect plastic materials, including barrels, plates, toys, and household items," Abuassi told Middle East Eye.
"Some of these are gathered from waste and the streets, and sometimes from bombed homes, where we find damaged water barrels and plastic fragments,” he said.
At other times, they buy these materials from residents at very low prices.
While plastic is supposed to be shredded entirely, Abuassi says they just cut it into pieces manually due to the lack of electricity and specialised machinery.
The plastic goes through two phases: first, it is heated at high temperatures and burns, turning into vapour. Then, it is condensed and cooled, transforming into a liquid substance that is then distilled to separate diesel from gasoline and grease, he said.