Israel Cuts Power To Gaza Strip To Suppress Hamas Groups

Energy facilities in Palestine. (Source: WAFA)

JAKARTA - Israeli authorities on Sunday evening announced the halt to total electricity supply to the Gaza Strip region, Palestine, a move was taken to suppress the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The decision follows an order from Israel's Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, who, based on his authority, instructed the termination of electricity sales to Gaza, leading to a halt to electricity to the region, quoted from WAFA March 10.

The move was taken to coincide with a recent Israeli report indicating plans to increase pressure, including disrupting electricity and water supply, carrying out airstrikes, and potentially re-taking some of Gaza's territory as part of a broader military offensive and large-scale war.

In Israel, Energy Minister Eli Cohen has instructed Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to immediately cut off electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, in an effort to increase pressure on the enclave where 59 hostages kidnapped from Israel are still being held.

"We will use all the tools available to us so that all hostages will return, and we will ensure that Hamas will not be in Gaza the next day", Cohen said in a video statement, quoted by The Times of Israel.

Cohen's office circulated a letter sent to the IEC ordering it to stop the sale of electricity to Gaza's power plants.

The move comes after Israel announced it was discontinuing supplies of goods to Gaza, in response to Hamas' refusal to accept a proposal for an early phase extension of the ceasefire and a deal to release hostages, as well as threatening "additional consequences" and returning to war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week he was ready to step up pressure and would not rule out cutting off electricity to Gaza if Hamas did not give in to his demands in talks to free the hostages and end the war.