The announcement comes amidst a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, escalating tensions and raising international concerns over the repercussions for innocent civilians.
**Israel Cuts Electricity Supplies to Gaza Amid Hostage Crisis**
**Israel Cuts Electricity Supplies to Gaza Amid Hostage Crisis**
Israel has ordered a cut-off of electricity to Gaza as part of a strategy to leverage the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Israel made a significant decision on Sunday to cut off all electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining Israeli hostages. The announcement by Energy Minister Eli Cohen follows the previous week's halt of all aid supplies to a territory already under immense strain, home to over two million residents.
In a video statement, Cohen emphasized the government's commitment to using "all tools at our disposal" to secure the return of hostages and to ensure that Hamas would be absent from Gaza following the conflict. The immediate cessation of electricity is expected to severely impact the operation of desalination plants, which are vital for providing clean drinking water to the population, amidst reports that the government is not ruling out the possibility of also cutting off water supplies.
Earlier in the war, Israel had already reduced the main electricity supply to Gaza, making the current situation even more critical. Following the end of a fragile ceasefire on March 1, negotiations in Qatar are anticipated, with Israel seeking to extend the ceasefire while Hamas wants to initiate talks regarding the release of hostages and a permanent ceasefire solution.
Hamas confirmed on Sunday that it concluded recent ceasefire discussions with Egyptian mediators without altering its stance and called for an immediate transition to the second phase of the ceasefire. They are believed to be holding a total of 24 living hostages, in addition to the remains of 35 others.
As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. Many in Gaza rely on generators and solar panels for electricity due to damaged infrastructure from the ongoing military operations, which have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly women and children, according to Hamas-run health sources.
The United Nations human rights office has raised alarms over Israel's actions, suggesting that restricting the flow of essential goods and services to civilians could be viewed as collective punishment. Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed its support for a plan to establish an independent technocratic committee to govern Gaza until elections can be held, although Israel has dismissed the idea of a role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza post-conflict and has yet to propose an alternative governance structure.
Israel's recent military offenses began following the deadly Hamas attack in October 2023, which saw approximately 1,200 casualties inside Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals. Most of the hostages have been released through ceasefire deals and other arrangements, but tensions remain high as international leaders, including those in Europe, emphasize the need for a realistic stance on Gaza's future.
In a video statement, Cohen emphasized the government's commitment to using "all tools at our disposal" to secure the return of hostages and to ensure that Hamas would be absent from Gaza following the conflict. The immediate cessation of electricity is expected to severely impact the operation of desalination plants, which are vital for providing clean drinking water to the population, amidst reports that the government is not ruling out the possibility of also cutting off water supplies.
Earlier in the war, Israel had already reduced the main electricity supply to Gaza, making the current situation even more critical. Following the end of a fragile ceasefire on March 1, negotiations in Qatar are anticipated, with Israel seeking to extend the ceasefire while Hamas wants to initiate talks regarding the release of hostages and a permanent ceasefire solution.
Hamas confirmed on Sunday that it concluded recent ceasefire discussions with Egyptian mediators without altering its stance and called for an immediate transition to the second phase of the ceasefire. They are believed to be holding a total of 24 living hostages, in addition to the remains of 35 others.
As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. Many in Gaza rely on generators and solar panels for electricity due to damaged infrastructure from the ongoing military operations, which have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly women and children, according to Hamas-run health sources.
The United Nations human rights office has raised alarms over Israel's actions, suggesting that restricting the flow of essential goods and services to civilians could be viewed as collective punishment. Meanwhile, Hamas has expressed its support for a plan to establish an independent technocratic committee to govern Gaza until elections can be held, although Israel has dismissed the idea of a role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza post-conflict and has yet to propose an alternative governance structure.
Israel's recent military offenses began following the deadly Hamas attack in October 2023, which saw approximately 1,200 casualties inside Israel and the abduction of 251 individuals. Most of the hostages have been released through ceasefire deals and other arrangements, but tensions remain high as international leaders, including those in Europe, emphasize the need for a realistic stance on Gaza's future.
