According to The Times of Israel, Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced that he has given instructions to immediately stop the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip. Cohen was quoted as saying, “We will use all means at our disposal to bring back all the captives.” It was reported that Minister Cohen instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to halt the sale of electricity to the power plants in the Gaza Strip. Israel had stopped the entry of all humanitarian aid materials into the Gaza Strip after the end of the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire agreement. Prime Minister Netanyahu had threatened to take “further steps” if Hamas did not release the captives.

HAMAS: CUT SINCE OCTOBER 2023

Hamas Spokesperson Hazem Qasem stated, “Since the beginning of the attacks in October 2023, Israel has effectively cut off electricity in the Gaza Strip.” Qasem emphasized that with this stance, Israel blatantly disregards all international laws and norms and insists on completing the genocide in Gaza by using a policy of starvation. Qasem called for the implementation of decisions rejecting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the starvation of Palestinians that were made at the Arab League Summit.