Jerusalem: Israel’s Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, announced on Sunday that he has ordered the immediate cessation of electricity supplies to Gaza, just one week after Israel halted all aid deliveries to the war-torn Palestinian territory.
This move mirrors the early days of the ongoing conflict when Israel declared a “siege,” which included cutting off electricity to Gaza.
In a video statement, Cohen confirmed, “I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip,” adding, “We will utilize all available means to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza after the war.”
Israel also recently declared it would block all aid shipments to Gaza until Palestinian militants agreed to extend the ceasefire, which had mostly ended over 15 months of fighting. The first phase of the ceasefire, which ended on March 1, allowed crucial food, shelter, and medical aid into Gaza. While Israel has expressed a desire to extend this phase until mid-April, Hamas has called for a transition to the second phase aimed at permanently ending the conflict.
In response to the halt in aid, Hamas accused Israel of committing the war crime of “collective punishment.” The group also stated that this action negatively impacts Israeli hostages who are still being held in Gaza.
Out of the 251 captives taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, 58 remain in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning on Monday, telling Hamas there would be consequences “they cannot imagine” if the hostages are not released.
Israeli media also reported that Netanyahu plans to apply “maximum pressure” on Hamas over the coming week, urging them to accept the first phase’s extension under Israel’s terms. Additionally, Israeli Public Broadcaster Kan revealed that Israel has drafted a plan, known as the “Hell Plan,” which includes displacing residents from northern Gaza to the south, continuing the electricity blockade, and escalating military operations.
After the October 9, 2023, attack, Israel imposed a full siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies like water, food, and electricity, periodically adjusting the flow of aid as the ceasefire allowed some humanitarian access.
