In brief
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced an immediate halt to electricity supply to Gaza, aiming to exert pressure on Hamas as talks continue regarding hostage returns and Gaza’s governance.
Israel’s energy minister, Eli Cohen, declared on Sunday that electricity supply to the Gaza Strip would be cut off immediately. This action, although reportedly limited in its effect due to pre-existing restrictions, marks a significant attempt to exert pressure on Hamas during fragile ceasefire negotiations.Cohen stated, “We will employ all the tools at our disposal so that all the hostages are returned, and we will ensure that Hamas does not remain in Gaza in the ‘day after’.” This announcement coincides with ongoing discussions surrounding the status of hostages, with both living and deceased captives remaining a pivotal point in negotiations.The Israeli government has consistently positioned that Hamas should not play any role in Gaza's future governance, while Hamas has indicated a willingness to relinquish civilian authority but continues to resist the dismantling of its military wing. As negotiators prepare for discussions in Qatar later this week, Israel's move also follows their earlier decision to halt humanitarian aid and supplies after a previous ceasefire phase concluded.Despite the severity of Cohen's announcement, its effectiveness may hinge on the already dire conditions in Gaza. The area has faced severe electricity restrictions since the beginning of the recent conflict, which was ignited by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The disconnection will notably affect a wastewater treatment plant in the enclave, which had returned to using Israeli power just prior to the latest decision.
