Jerusalem: Israel Orders Halt to Gaza’s Electricity Supply in Bid to Pressure Hamas for Hostage Release
Background
Israel has ordered an immediate halt to Gaza’s electricity supply in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, even as it prepares for fresh talks on the future of its truce with the Palestinian militants.
The Truce’s Initial Phase
The truce’s initial phase ended on March 1, and both sides have refrained from returning to all-out war, despite sporadic violence including an air strike Sunday that Israel said targeted militants. Hamas has repeatedly called for an immediate start to negotiations on the ceasefire’s second phase, aiming to end the war permanently.
Israel’s Decision
On Sunday, Israel ordered a cut in the electricity supply. "I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip," Energy Minister Eli Cohen said in a video statement. "We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after" the war, he said.
Hamas’s Response
Izzat al-Rishq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, described Israel’s move as "a desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance through cheap and unacceptable blackmail tactics."
The Situation in Gaza
The sole power line between Israel and Gaza supplies the main desalination plant, and Gazans mainly rely now on solar panels and fuel-powered generators to produce electricity. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza live in tents, with night-time temperatures now forecast around 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit).
Negotiations
Hamas representatives met Egyptian mediators over the weekend, emphasising the urgent need to resume aid deliveries "without restrictions or conditions", a Hamas statement said. "We call on mediators in Egypt and Qatar, as well as the guarantors in the US administration, to ensure that the (Israeli) occupation complies with the agreement… and proceeds with the second phase according to the agreed-upon terms," spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.
Key Demands
Hamas’s key demands for the second phase include a hostage-prisoner exchange, Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, border crossings reopening and lifting the blockade.
US Involvement
Former United States president Joe Biden had also outlined a second phase involving the release of remaining living hostages, the withdrawal of all Israeli forces left in Gaza, and establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
The Future of the Truce
The truce largely halted more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza, where virtually the entire population was displaced by Israel’s relentless military campaign in response to the October 7 attack. The six-week first phase led to the exchange of 25 living Israeli hostages and eight bodies for the release of about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with fears of renewed famine and a deepening humanitarian crisis. As the United States and other international actors weigh in on the conflict, the fate of the hostages and the future of the truce hang in the balance. Will Israel and Hamas be able to reach a lasting agreement, or will the cycle of violence and oppression continue?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The situation in Gaza remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in tents and relying on solar panels and fuel-powered generators for electricity.
Q: What is Israel’s goal in cutting off Gaza’s electricity supply?
A: Israel is seeking to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages.
Q: What are Hamas’s demands for the second phase of the truce?
A: Hamas is demanding a hostage-prisoner exchange, Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, a permanent ceasefire, border crossings reopening, and lifting the blockade.
Q: What is the role of the United States in the conflict?
A: The United States has been involved in efforts to broker a peace deal, with former president Joe Biden outlining a second phase involving the release of remaining living hostages, the withdrawal of all Israeli forces left in Gaza, and establishment of a permanent ceasefire.