Tel Aviv [Israel], March 10: The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has cut off power to the last facility in the Gaza Strip that still receives energy from Israel.
CNN on March 9 quoted Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen as saying that he had just signed an order to immediately stop supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip , emphasizing that he would use all possible measures to ensure the release of all hostages held in Gaza. An IEC spokesman confirmed that the group had been instructed to stop selling electricity to factories in Gaza.
Senior Hamas member Izzat al-Rishq condemned Israel's actions. "This is a desperate attempt to pressure the people through cheap blackmail tactics and is unacceptable," al-Rishq said. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the power cut would have little impact because Israel had already cut off power to Gaza for a long time.
Israel cut off power to Gaza after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, but the IEC later restored power to a wastewater treatment facility under government orders, CNN reported. Gaza residents have relied on generators and solar power for more than a year.
The move comes as Israel and Hamas have yet to agree on the next steps in the Gaza ceasefire . Israel wants to continue with phase 1 of the deal, which would involve a hostage exchange and aid shipments to Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, wants to discuss phase 2, which would include terms for ending the Gaza conflict.
Israel announced on March 2 that it would block all humanitarian aid into Gaza to pressure Hamas to agree to extend the ceasefire. According to The Times of Israel , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would not rule out cutting off Gaza's electricity if Hamas does not make concessions in negotiations. Mediators, including the United States, have been trying to mediate so that the two sides can reach a consensus. US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Gaza hostages, Adam Boehler, expressed optimism on March 9 that Israel and Hamas will reach an agreement.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
