A pipeline supplying Israel with Egyptian natural gas for the first time began flowing May 1, state-owned Israel Electric Corp. said. In the first stage of the deal, signed in 2005 with East Mediterranean Gas Co., the gas will be delivered to power plants in Ashdod and Tel Aviv and will enable Israel Electric to increase electricity production from natural gas. Israel will receive an annual supply of 1.7 billion cubic meters of Egyptian natural gas over 20 years. At the same time the Israeli fuel blockade of Gaza means that over 1 million remain at grave risk.