Tel Aviv [Israel]: Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday directed the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to immediately halt electricity supply to the Gaza Strip. The move is seen as an attempt to increase pressure on the enclave, where around 24 hostages are still presumed alive, while the bodies of 35 others remain in captivity, according to The Times of Israel.
In a brief video statement, Cohen declared, “We will employ all the tools available to us so that all the hostages will return, and we will ensure that Hamas won’t be in Gaza on the ‘day after’.” His office also shared a letter sent to the IEC instructing the suspension of electricity sales to Gaza’s power stations.
However, an Israeli official downplayed the impact of Cohen’s order, stating that electricity supply from Israel to Gaza had already been cut off after October 7. In November, Israel had resumed power supply to a desalination plant near Deir el-Balah but has now cut it off again. This plant served over 600,000 people in Gaza and was one of three seawater processing facilities meeting the needs of over 2 million residents.
Cohen’s directive follows Israel’s decision on March 2 to halt goods entry into Gaza after Hamas rejected a proposal to extend the initial stage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. Western governments and Arab nations condemned Israel’s move, but the US supported it, arguing that sufficient aid was already available in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned of further actions, including cutting off all electricity, if Hamas did not change its stance on hostage negotiations. On Sunday, Netanyahu announced that Israel would send a delegation to Doha for direct talks.
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, demanding the release of all hostages and the return of the bodies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump stated, “‘Shalom Hamas’ means Hello and Goodbye – You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you.”
He further warned, “I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say.” Trump’s remarks underscored the escalating pressure on Hamas to comply with international demands for a resolution to the hostage crisis.
The situation remains tense as negotiations continue amid threats of renewed conflict if no progress is made.