Israel has severed electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), escalating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
“I just signed an order for the immediate halt of electricity to the Gaza Strip,” Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Saturday. He emphasized that Israel would use all available measures to ensure the return of the hostages still held by Hamas.
Israel initially cut off electricity supplies to Gaza following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, which left more than 1,200 people dead and saw 251 taken hostage. However, under a government directive, the IEC had reconnected power to a wastewater treatment facility. That power has now been cut once again.
An IEC spokesperson confirmed the move to CNN, stating, “Today, a directive was received to disconnect the electricity to the facility, and this was done.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem downplayed the move’s practical impact but denounced it as part of Israel’s “genocidal war” against Gaza, accusing it of using “starvation policies” in violation of international law.
Israeli far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the decision and urged the government to go further by targeting fuel supplies that entered Gaza during the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
“The Gaza Strip must be completely and immediately blacked out as long as even one Israeli hostage is being held there,” Ben Gvir said, advocating for bombing fuel depots and Hamas-operated generators.
The electricity cutoff comes as Israel and Hamas engage in delicate negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage exchange.
Last week, Israel announced it would block all humanitarian aid into Gaza to pressure Hamas into agreeing to new terms for an extension of the truce, after the initial phase expired.
Israel seeks to extend the first phase of the agreement, allowing for the continued exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners while increasing aid to Gaza—but without committing to a permanent end to the war. Hamas, however, insists on moving forward with a second phase of negotiations that would secure a long-term truce.
On Friday, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire terms, while Israel confirmed on Saturday that it had accepted an invitation from US-backed mediators to send an Israeli delegation to Doha on Monday for further talks.
US Special Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler expressed optimism about a potential truce following direct negotiations with Hamas.
“I think something could come together within weeks,” Boehler said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” adding that a deal could be reached to secure the release of all hostages, including Americans.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with more than half presumed dead. Among them are five American-Israelis, only one of whom—Edan Alexander—is believed to be alive.
On Sunday, senior Hamas official Taher Al Nunu suggested in a statement to Al Aqsa TV that Hamas was open to releasing Alexander as part of negotiations to end the war.
With talks ongoing and humanitarian conditions worsening, the situation in Gaza remains dire. The latest power cut signals an escalation in Israel’s pressure tactics as it seeks the return of hostages and the weakening of Hamas’ control.
