Israel is to cut off the remaining power supply to Gaza in an apparent attempt to strengthen pressure on Hamas amid a chaotic multitrack negotiations over a fragile territorial ceasefire.
The potential consequences of Israel's decision to the 2.3 million inhabitants of the destroyed Palestinian territory are unknown.
However, humanitarian officials in Gaza contacted Sunday afternoon and said they thought that they would be forced to close down two functional desalination plants, reducing the supply of already small clean water. Others suggest that the remaining sewage treatment plants may be affected.
In the video of the order being issued, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said Israel will use “all available means to ensure the return of all Israeli hostages,” and Hamas will not remain in post-war Gaza.
Hamas denounced Israel for the decision with “cheap and unacceptable horror mail.” Izat al-Rishuk, a member of Hamas Politburo, said in a statement, “I strongly condemn the occupation decision to cut off electricity in Gaza after stealing food, medicine and water,” adding that it was a “desperate attempt to pressure people and resistance through inexpensive and unacceptable Black Mile tactics.”
Israel is trying to force Hamas to accept the extension until mid-April, the first phase of the ceasefire, which came into effect in mid-January, but officially ended last weekend. Israel has already cut off all the supplies of goods to its territory, claiming Hamas is stealing aid from its distribution and making profits.
Israel is also stepping up its strike in Gaza, but military officials have explained to local and international journalists that preparations for a major attack are ongoing.
There are daily reports of casualties given by Israeli fighter jets, drones or artillery.
On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched an airstrike in northern Gaza. It said it was intended for extremists who “try to plant explosive devices in the ground in northern Gaza” near Israeli forces.
A day ago, an airstrike in Rafa in southern Gaza targeted a group of suspected drones and extremist suspects who had entered Israeli territory, according to the IDF.
Israel hopes Hamas will release many of its 58 hostages, and is believed to be held by Gaza allies. Less than half are thought to be still alive. Hamas refuses any extensions and hopes for an immediate start to negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire.
Group representatives met with mediators in Cairo over the weekend, highlighting the urgent need to resume delivery of humanitarian assistance to the territory “without restrictions or conditions.”
“We will certainly call on the mediators in Egypt and Qatar, as well as the guarantors of the US administration. [Israel] Hazem Qassem told Agence France-Presse that Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for Hamas, said:
Important demands for Hamas' second phase include further release of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages, complete withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire and lifting Israeli blockade.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Bureau said it would send its representatives to Doha on Monday to participate in discussions on the continued ceasefire in some way.
To further complicate the photograph, the unprecedented in-person meeting between the US and Hamas aims to free five US citizens, primarily among the hostages Hamas still holds. Only one person is thought to be still alive.
The US envoy involved in the in-person talks revealed last week by US-based media said the meeting with Hamas on Sunday was “very helpful” and said he is confident that the hostage release agreement will be reached “in a few weeks.” Speaking to CNN, Adam Berler admitted that since 1997 he had been sitting “strange” in face to face with leaders of extremist Muslim groups that the United States has listed as a terrorist organization but did not rule out further meetings.
Bowler said he understood Israel's “surprise” that the US had held a meeting with the group, but he said he was about to launch “vulnerable” negotiations. “I think there's a chance that something can come together in a few weeks. I think there's a deal that can drive out not just Americans, but all the prisoners,” he added.
The January ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza. There, virtually the entire population was evacuated, the territory's belt was reduced to tile rubs, and over 48,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israeli military attacks. The war was caused by Hamas' surprise attack on Israel in October 2023. There, 1,200 mostly civilians were killed and 251 hostages were taken.
The first phase of the six-week ceasefire was exchanged for 25 living Israeli hostages and eight other ruins for the release of around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. They also made it possible to re-enter Gaza with much-needed food, shelters and medical assistance.
Since Israel subsequently cut off the flow of aid, UN Rights experts have accused the government of “arms hunger.”
Last week, Donald Trump threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages were not released, and issued what he called the Hamas leaders what was called the “last warning.” The US president sparked anger in February when he said he wanted to oversee the massive displacement of the Palestinians in Gaza and allow the territory to be rebuilt as the “Middle Eastern Riviera.” On Sunday, Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotric, said the proposal was “shaped.”
Smotrich said the government plans to establish a “immigration agency” to support Gaza residents who want to leave their territory forever.
Arab leaders have proposed an alternative plan where Ramala-based Palestinian authorities will return to govern the territory and the reconstruction of Gaza will be funded through the Trust Fund.
At a weekend rally in Tel Aviv, families of Israeli hostages demanded that the government fully implement the ceasefire. “The war could resume in a week,” Einav Zangarkar, Matan Zangarkar's mother, told the crowd. “War doesn't bring hostages home. It kills them.”
