In a statement released on Wednesday, Gaza's health ministry revealed that hospitals and medical centers have been forced to "reduce services" due to an ongoing fuel crisis in the coastal enclave.

Ashraf Al Qadra, the ministry's spokesperson said the measures had to be taken "due to lack of fuel in hospitals and medical centers," according to Middle East Monitor. 

On Monday, the ministry had warned of the possibility of delayed or canceled surgeries if no action is taken on the part of Palestinian parties and authorities.

The situation is particularly dire for kidney dialysis patients and those with severe illnesses who are now concerned over the course of their treatment, Al Jazeera reported.

Gaza’s sole power plant shut down on Sunday leaving 2 million residents with only four hours of electricity a day. This comes after the plant’s fuel, purchased with funding from Qatar and Turkey ran out. 

It still is not clear when the coastal enclave will be able to receive more fuel, mainly because of a deepening rift between the electricity authority in Gaza and Palestinian authorities in the West Bank.

According to CNN, "the power generating authority in Gaza says it cannot afford to buy more fuel for the plant -- mostly because of taxes imposed by the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority claims that the Hamas officials in Gaza are simply incapable of running the plant efficiently."

As the blame game continues among various Palestinian authorities and parties, not to mention the crippling Israeli siege, people continue to suffer. 

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, released a statement on Wednesday, urging authorities in Gaza to work together with the international community to resolve the latest energy crisis.  

“All in Gaza must share the burden by paying their bills. It is the poorest Palestinians in Gaza who pay the price for exceptions and privileges that others enjoy,” he said, adding that "the social, economic and political consequences of this impending energy crisis should not be underestimated."

He also called on Israeli authorities to facilitate the entry of materials for repairs and maintenance of the power grid and plant, and noted the need to also upgrade weak Egyptian power lines, which have also contributed to the ongoing crisis.

"Darkness in Gaza, yet again."  

"Gaza is now trapped in a cycle of never ending disputes between Hamas and official authorities ... they fight among each other and innocent citizens pay the price of their failure."  

"Gaza needs electricity."  

"Gaza ... without electricity ... without life."

"I want this mosque to be an inspiration to other women to do the same thing, if not opening a mosque, surely having the fortitude to say to the men, we want a voice."

These are the words of Rabi’a Keeble, the woman who founded the Qal’bu Maryam Women’s Mosque in Berkely, California. Its first service was held on a Friday earlier this month. 

While it is the second mosque in the U.S. led by women, it is the first mosque in the country where both genders worship side-by-side. Traditionally, mosques are either gender specific or allow women to worship separated from men.

"Our mosque is the first of its 'kind', in that it does not discriminate, it allows everyone to come – men, women, converts, shia, sunni, everyone," Keeble told StepFeed.  

She explained that she founded the mosque out of her love for Islam and her personal sadness at seeing so much "sectarian ignorance" and  so many "women who expose the same patriarchal standards" because they've never been taught anything else.

"The people willing to step outside the envelope weren't there, not even in academia," she said.

Keeble, who herself converted to Islam, said that she does not believe the Prophet Muhammad intended for the religion to take on a patriarchal dimension.

"Islam is not inherently bad for women. What is bad for women is to give up their power, to allow any one other person or group to tell them what to do or say and how to dress and behave," she said. "Sadly Islam has drifted in some cases – not all – into a purely male realm, like a men's club.  I don't think that is what the Prophet intended."

She explained that Islam is actually "incredibly good" for women, saying that women need to "step up and take their power." Keeble believes women must be allowed to lead prayers and worship alongside men.

"Men fear that if a woman is in proximity, and bends to pray, that their bodies will respond and they would not be able to concentrate," she said. "I say if you are so easily affected by someone's body you need to work on your nafs, because prayer calls for concentration and men are around women all day."

The Qal’bu Maryam Women’s Mosque, is the second in the U.S. to be led by women. However, the Women's Mosque in Los Angeles, which was the first, only allows women worshipers and male children under the age of 12 to attend prayers together.

Women imams also remain controversial, although some schools of Islam do allow for them. Currently, the Qal’bu Maryam Women’s Mosque is not led by an imam.

"I think that will take a great deal of searching and consideration. Right now we are allowing guest khatib's, and muezzin to come," Keeble explained.

Inclusion is important to Keeble. She personally found peace and beauty in Islam and thinks that should be open to everyone.

"I saw a very beautiful religion, with people here in America who wanted to tap into that stream, and to be nourished by what the Prophet, saw, started," she said, talking about her conversion. "I saw what the Prophet's vision was and it was beautiful. We need to get back to that."

When it comes to issues of tension such as gender, nationality and race, Keeble believes Muslims need to move on.

"We have to learn to not be so touchy, to be more open hearted and have open minds, and to practice social justice towards everyone," she said. "Fighting, and holding on to old ideas about who people are racially, who they are nationally, and culturally is a problem, but we can fix that."