Egypt Daily News – The Israeli Energy Minister, Eli Cohen, announced on Sunday evening the cessation of electricity sales to the Gaza Strip, which will result in an immediate halt to the flow of electricity to the besieged Palestinian territory.
This comes amid threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to resume the war on the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not comply with Israeli demands. In recent days, Israeli reports have indicated that Tel Aviv is planning an escalation strategy, including cutting electricity and water, launching airstrikes, and even reoccupying parts of Gaza as part of a large-scale war.
Israeli Channel 12 quoted Israeli officials as saying that the next step is to cut off water to Gaza. Last Monday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to halt water and electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need to “open the gates of hell” through a large-scale military attack leading to the “occupation of the Strip.”
Meanwhile, former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, on the same day, called for bombing humanitarian aid warehouses in Gaza, insisting that Israel “must starve Hamas fighters and their supporters” before resuming the war on the Strip.
Following the completion of the first phase of the prisoner exchange agreement, the Israeli government decided to renege on its commitments under the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, which took effect on January 19. It continues to reject negotiations for the second phase and has announced a halt to the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously claimed that “Hamas is stealing humanitarian supplies and preventing [Gaza residents] from accessing them,” adding that “Israel will take additional measures if Hamas continues to hold hostages.”
