In a significant escalation of tensions, Israel has ordered a complete cut-off of electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, as announced by Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday. This decision aims to exert pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages still held in the region.
This announcement follows a week after Israel halted all aid supplies to Gaza, which is home to over two million residents. In a video statement, Minister Cohen declared,
“We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after [the war].”
The minister’s comments highlight Israel’s commitment to utilizing its resources to resolve the hostage situation.
Impact on Gaza’s vital infrastructure
The immediate consequences of cutting off electricity are expected to severely disrupt the operations of desalination plants, which are essential for providing clean drinking water to the Gazan population. The Israeli government has indicated that it may also consider cutting off water supplies, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
In his statements, Cohen confirmed,
“I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip.”
Previously, Israel had curtailed most of the mains electricity supply during the ongoing military conflict.
Ceasefire negotiations and humanitarian concerns
As the region grapples with these developments, discussions to extend a fragile ceasefire are set to resume in Qatar on Monday. Israel is insisting that Hamas accept an extension of the current ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, Hamas is advocating for negotiations to commence on the second phase of the ceasefire, which would include the release of remaining hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Reports indicate that Hamas is currently holding 24 living hostages, alongside the bodies of 35 others. The militant group has voiced concerns that the cut-off of essential supplies could adversely affect the hostages’ wellbeing. Following the conclusion of the latest ceasefire discussions with Egyptian mediators, Hamas reiterated its call for an immediate initiation of the second phase of the ceasefire.
Gaza’s infrastructure has suffered extensive damage due to the ongoing conflict, with residents relying on generators and solar panels to meet their electricity needs. Criticism has mounted against Israel for the decision to sever supplies to Gaza, with the United Nations human rights office stating,
“Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment.”
In the midst of this turmoil, Hamas has proposed the establishment of an independent committee of technocrats to govern Gaza until democratic elections can be held, aiming to operate under the framework of the Palestinian Authority (PA) based in the occupied West Bank. However, Israel has dismissed the PA’s involvement in Gaza and has yet to present an alternative governance plan for the region after the conflict.
The cycle of violence has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides, with Hamas’s attack in October 2023 resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel, predominantly among civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals. In contrast, Israel’s military actions in Gaza have reportedly led to over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities, primarily among women and children, according to sources from the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which has not disclosed how many of the deceased were militants.