Israel Cuts Off Gaza’s Electricity Amid Ongoing Hostage Negotiations

JERUSALEM — Israel announced on Sunday the immediate cessation of its electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, an action aimed at pressuring Hamas to release Israeli hostages still held in the territory. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen made the announcement a week after the country halted all humanitarian aid to the region, which is home to over two million people.

In a video statement, 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 decision to cut electricity is expected to severely impact crucial desalination plants that provide drinking water to residents in Gaza.

Following Cohen’s announcement, he stated, “I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip.” This is not the first time electricity supplies have been disrupted since the start of the conflict, which intensified after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The suspension of electricity supply has raised urgent concerns regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to clean water and basic necessities has been dramatically curtailed. The Israeli government indicated that it might also cut off water supplies if necessary.

This latest measure comes as negotiations for a potential ceasefire continue. Israel is seeking an extension of the first phase of ceasefire talks that ended last weekend, conditional on Hamas releasing half of the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas has pushed for negotiations to begin on the more complex second phase, which would involve the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages along with the remains of 35 others. Despite the looming threat of further action, the militant group asserts that denying essential supplies impacts hostages as well. Following the latest round of ceasefire talks mediated by Egypt, Hamas reiterated its demands without changes to its position.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in devastating tolls, with more than 48,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, primarily women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not disclose the number of militants among the casualties. As the infrastructure continues to crumble, the reliance on generators and solar panels has intensified, but these measures are insufficient in the face of the anticipated electricity cut.

The United Nations has raised alarms over the humanitarian impact of cutting off supplies, stating that such actions could amount to collective punishment. The organization’s human rights office condemned any denial of necessities for civilians, emphasizing countries’ obligations to protect civilians in conflict areas.

The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring the developments related to the hostage negotiations and conditions in Gaza. The end of the first ceasefire phase allowed for the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

As efforts for a lasting resolution continue, Palestinians in Gaza report dramatic increases in prices for basic goods, further compounding their suffering. One resident, Fares al-Qeisi, commented on the dire situation: “Since the ceasefire began, the situation improved a little, but before that, it was very bad. I swear to God, one could not satisfy their hunger.” The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies as negotiations unfold.