Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen added that Israel will use all tools available to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is not in Gaza a day after ‘the end of the war
It announced, on Sunday (9), that it will interrupt the supply of electricity to the, a measure that can compromise the production of drinking water in the region, since desalination plants depend on this energy resource. The week before, the Israeli government had already blocked all help to the war-devastated Palestinian territory, with the aim of pressuring Hamas to accept a termination of ceasefire.
“I just signed the order to immediately stop the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip,” said Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen in a video statement. He added that Israel “will use all tools to [sua] Willingness to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is not in Gaza a day after “the end of the war.
The only line of energy between Israel and Gaza supplies the main desalination plant of the territory, which serves more than 600,000 people. Gaza inhabitants depend mainly on solar panels and gasoline generators for electricity.
Hamas, in turn, expressed interest in starting dialogues about the second phase of ceasefire, which would include the liberation of hostages that still remain in captivity and the search for a lasting peace agreement. The group also warned that the interruption of electricity supply would have a direct impact on the hostages.
Israel had already signaled that water and electricity could be the next targets of cuts, facing international criticism for blocking essential supplies for the population of Gaza. The UN Human Rights Office stressed that the denial of basic needs can be interpreted as a form of collective punishment.
Attacks
Despite the end of the initial phase of the truce, both sides avoided a return to total war, although there were sporadic episodes of violence. This Sunday, the Israeli army announced an attack on combatants who burying an explosive device in the north of the Gaza Strip. “Several terrorists were seen near Army troops as they tried to hide an explosive device on the ground in northern Gaza,” the army said in a statement.
New truce negotiations
New indirect negotiations on the second phase of ceasefire should start at Qatar. A Hamas delegation traveled to Doha on Sunday as Israel said that he would send a delegation to Doha on Monday, the “invitation of US-backed mediators” and to “take the negotiations ahead.”
*Report produced with the aid of AI
Posted by Carol Santos
