Jerusalem: Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Sunday that he has ordered an immediate halt to electricity supply in Gaza, just a week after Israel blocked all aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory.
"I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip," Cohen said in a video statement. He added, "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.
Escalating Measures Amid Ceasefire Standoff
The latest move mirrors Israel’s actions at the start of the war in October 2023, when it imposed a siege that included cutting off electricity, water, and food supplies to Gaza.
Last weekend, Israel announced it would block aid deliveries until Hamas accepted its terms for an extension of the ceasefire, which had largely paused more than 15 months of fighting.
The first phase of the truce, which ended on March 1, 2025, had allowed critical humanitarian aid into Gaza, including food, medical supplies, and shelter assistance. While Israel has proposed extending this phase until mid-April, Hamas has demanded a transition to the second phase, which would aim for a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas Condemns Move as 'War Crime'
Hamas condemned Israel’s decision, accusing it of committing a “war crime of collective punishment” by blocking aid and cutting off power. The group also said the decision endangers Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.
According to Israeli authorities, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, out of 251 captives taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. The Israeli military has confirmed that 34 of those hostages are dead.
Israel’s 'Hell Plan' to Pressure Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not agree to an extension of the ceasefire on Israel’s terms.
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu's government is planning to exert “maximum pressure” on Hamas in the coming week through a strategy labeled the “Hell Plan.”
According to Israel’s Public Broadcaster Kan, the strategy involves:
- Blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Displacing residents from northern Gaza to the south.
- Cutting electricity supply entirely.
- Resuming full-scale military operations.
Gaza Under Siege Since October 2023
Israel had previously imposed a total siege on Gaza on October 9, 2023, cutting off water, electricity, and food supplies in response to Hamas’s attack. The blockade has since been adjusted multiple times, with aid occasionally permitted until the recent ceasefire allowed for increased humanitarian access.
With aid now blocked again and electricity supply halted, concerns are mounting over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
