Israel cuts off electricity supply to Gaza

Israel has cut off the remaining electricity supply to Gaza in what appears to be an effort to increase pressure on Hamas amid ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire extension.

The move, along with the suspension of all goods entering Gaza, has led to food shortages and worsening humanitarian conditions, Palestinian officials said.

Israel’s decision and its impact on Gaza

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Sunday that he had ordered an immediate halt to all electricity supply to Gaza, stating that Israel would use “all means available … to ensure the return of all Israeli hostages.”

The move follows Israel’s other decision to block all aid deliveries to the territory, citing concerns that Hamas was diverting supplies for its own use.

The impact of the electricity cutoff on Gaza’s 2.3 million residents remains unclear. Most people rely on diesel-fueled generators for power, but local officials warned that essential infrastructure, including water desalination and sewage treatment plants, could be severely affected.

“There is already water scarcity, and the position of the Israeli government will intensify this crisis in Gaza Strip,” said Gaza Municipality Mayor Asem Al Nabih. Officials from the last functioning desalination plant in Khan Yunis warned of a 70% reduction in the availability of clean drinking water due to the electricity cuts.

Meanwhile, the suspension of all goods entering Gaza, including food, medicine, and fuel, is exacerbating the crisis. The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) warned that the decision threatens the lives of civilians who are already struggling after 17 months of conflict.

“Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people were dependent on aid,” UNRWA said, calling the halt in humanitarian assistance a grave threat.

Food shortages and bakery closures

The disruption of food supplies has resulted in severe shortages, with bakeries struggling to remain open.

Speaking to Reuters, Abdel-Nasser Al-Ajrami, head of the Gaza bakers’ union, six out of the 22 bakeries still operating in the enclave have already shut down after running out of cooking gas.

“The remaining bakeries may close down in a week or so should they run out of diesel or flour, unless the crossing is reopened to allow the goods to flow,” Al-Ajrami told Reuters.

Even before these closures, the bakeries were struggling to meet the needs of the population, he added.

“I think the more we go ahead (with aid blockages), the more we will see the impact increasing on the population. And obviously, the risk … is that we go back to situation we experienced months ago about deepening hunger in the Gaza Strip,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

“Whatever the intent is, it’s clearly a weaponization of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” he told reporters. “We have seen the situation is deteriorating very, very quickly.” In the same press briefing in Geneva, he described the agency’s financial situation as “critical and precarious”.

Ongoing ceasefire negotiations

Israel’s decision comes amid negotiations to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, which began in mid-January and formally ended on March 1.

Israel is seeking an extension until mid-April, while Hamas has rejected the proposal and called for immediate talks on a second phase aimed at a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas described the electricity cutoff and aid suspension as “collective punishment” and insisted it will not be pressured into making concessions.

“We strongly condemn the occupation’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza, after depriving it of food, medicine, and water,” said Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’ political bureau.

Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have urged Israel to resume humanitarian aid deliveries and continue negotiations. Hamas has maintained that it will only agree to a deal that includes further prisoner exchanges, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and an end to the blockade.

International response and rising concerns

Germany and other Western governments have expressed concern over Israel’s restrictions on aid and basic services in Gaza.

“The restriction of food and water is devastating, especially during Ramadan,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer. France, Germany, and the UK have urged Israel to restore humanitarian aid access and continue ceasefire negotiations.

Escalating military activity in Gaza

Alongside the power cuts, Israel has intensified its military actions in Gaza.

The Israeli army carried out multiple airstrikes over the weekend, including one in northern Gaza targeting militants allegedly planting explosives. Another strike in Rafah targeted a drone and a group of suspected Hamas members, according to the Israeli army.

Israeli military officials have indicated that preparations for a major offensive are underway, while daily reports of casualties from airstrikes and artillery fire continue.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has engaged in direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of five American hostages.

A senior U.S. envoy described the negotiations as “very helpful” and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached within weeks.

The future of the ceasefire agreement

The first phase of the ceasefire saw 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others exchanged for approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has not yet agreed to move forward with a second phase that would establish a permanent ceasefire.

At a rally in Tel Aviv over the weekend, family members of Israeli hostages urged the government to fully implement the ceasefire.

“The war won’t bring the hostages back home. It will kill them,” said Einav Zangauker, the mother of a captive Israeli soldier.