Israel has completely cut off electricity to Gaza, intensifying pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages, according to Energy Minister Eli Cohen.

Israel’s Decision to Cut Electricity

The move comes a week after Israel halted all aid to Gaza, which has a population exceeding two million. Cohen stated in a video message:

“We will use every tool available to bring back the hostages and ensure Hamas is no longer in Gaza after the war.”

The electricity shutdown is expected to severely impact desalination plants, which provide clean drinking water. The Israeli government has also not ruled out cutting water supplies.

Ceasefire Talks and Hostage Negotiations

Negotiations to extend the fragile ceasefire, which ended on March 1, are set to resume in Qatar. Israel insists on continuing the first phase of the ceasefire, while Hamas demands progress toward a second phase, which includes releasing the remaining hostages, withdrawing Israeli forces, and securing a permanent truce.

Hamas, reportedly holding 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others, warned that further supply cuts could endanger them. The group has called for an independent technocratic committee under the Palestinian Authority (PA) to govern Gaza until elections take place—an idea Israel rejects.

International Reaction and Humanitarian Concerns

The United Nations has condemned Israel’s blockade, warning that restricting essential supplies could constitute collective punishment.

Gaza’s infrastructure has been devastated by the war, with generators and solar panels providing limited power. Meanwhile, Israel faces mounting criticism over its handling of the humanitarian crisis.

Casualties and Conflict Background

Since Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, Israel’s military response has led to over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

As tensions escalate, all eyes remain on ceasefire negotiations and the humanitarian impact of Israel’s latest measures.