Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen has ordered an immediate halt to electricity supply to Gaza, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave as it grapples with severe aid shortages during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a post on X, Cohen confirmed the decision, stating, “I have signed an order to cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately. Enough with the talk, it’s time for action!”
The announcement comes more than a week after Israel cut off all shipments of goods to Gaza, following its decision to renege on the ceasefire deal that ended the 15-month-long war.
The war has resulted in the deaths of nearly 50,000 Palestinians, with much of Gaza reduced to rubble due to relentless Israeli bombardment.
Blockade Intensifies
The electricity cutoff is the latest development in the stalled ceasefire negotiations. Israel has insisted on extending the first phase of the three-phase agreement, while Hamas has demanded that both parties move to the second phase as originally agreed.
Analysts suggest Israel’s reluctance to proceed indicates an unwillingness to withdraw its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, the narrow border zone separating Gaza and Egypt.
Hamas condemned Israel’s decision to cut electricity to Gaza, calling it an attempt to pressure the group into releasing captives.
“We strongly condemn the occupation’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza, after depriving it of food, medicine, and water,” said Ezzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau. He described the move as “a desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance through cheap and unacceptable blackmail tactics.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Aid organizations and human rights groups have accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law and committing crimes against humanity by cutting off essential supplies. The total blockade has forced bakeries and shops to shut down, leaving civilians struggling to obtain basic necessities like bread.
Meanwhile, Hamas has reiterated calls for immediate negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire. A Hamas source reported on Sunday that the group’s delegation had left Cairo, Egypt, and was heading to Doha, Qatar, for further discussions.
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