Israel Halts Electricity Supply to Gaza in Bid for Hostage Release

In a significant escalation, Israel has ordered a complete cutoff of electricity to Gaza as leverage against Hamas, coinciding with ongoing ceasefire negotiations. This decision risks exacerbating humanitarian conditions in the territory, critically affecting clean water supplies.

Israel ordered all electricity supplies to Gaza to be halted on Sunday, as a measure aimed at pressuring Hamas to release Israeli hostages being held in the territory. Energy Minister Eli Cohen made the announcement, noting that the move follows last week’s suspension of aid supplies to Gaza, home to over two million people.

In a video statement, Cohen asserted, “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 cut in electricity is expected to severely impact desalination operations vital for providing clean water. The government hinted that water supplies could also be affected.

Cohen explicitly stated, “I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip.” This decision follows earlier reductions in Gaza's mains electricity supply during the conflict.

As negotiations to extend a fragile ceasefire continue, set to resume in Qatar on Monday, tension remains high. Israel seeks an agreement for Hamas to accept an extension of the ceasefire, while Hamas is advocating for discussions regarding phase two of the ceasefire, which would incorporate the release of hostages, withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a definitive cessation of hostilities. Currently, Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages alongside the bodies of 35 others.

Hamas indicated that any suspension of supplies would jeopardize the safety of the hostages and announced the conclusion of the most recent talks with Egyptian mediators, maintaining its position for immediate commencement of the second phase of the ceasefire.

The ongoing war has left Gaza's infrastructure shattered, with many relying on generators and solar panels for power amid the electricity shortage. The international community has voiced concern regarding the humanitarian implications of cutting off vital supplies to civilian populations. The UN’s human rights office stated that, “Any denial of the entry of necessities for civilians may amount to collective punishment.”

Hamas has put forth a proposal for the establishment of an independent committee of technocrats to govern Gaza until elections are held, positioned under the Palestinian Authority (PA) located in the West Bank. Israel, however, has opposed any role for the PA in Gaza, offering no alternative governance plan following the war.

The conflict reached a peak in October 2023 when Hamas’s assault resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, in Israel, along with 251 individuals taken hostage; many have since been released due to ceasefires or alternative agreements. Meanwhile, Israeli military actions have reportedly caused over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, according to figures provided by the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which does not clarify how many casualties were militants.