Israel has announced that it will cut off its electricity supply to Gaza, intensifying pressure on Hamas to agree to an extension of the ceasefire, Associated Press reported on Sunday. The decision follows last week’s move to block all supplies of goods to the besieged enclave, which is home to over two million people.
The immediate effects of the power cut remain unclear, but Gaza’s desalination plants, which provide drinking water, rely on electricity to function. The blockade of supplies and now electricity comes as Israel pushes for a continuation of the first phase of the ceasefire, while Hamas insists on moving forward with negotiations for the second phase.
Airstrike in Northern Gaza Amid Ceasefire Negotiations
Even as truce talks continue, Israel carried out an airstrike in northern Gaza on Sunday, AFP reported. The strike follows days of sporadic violence since the end of the initial ceasefire phase a week ago.
Hamas has repeatedly called for an immediate start to the second phase of negotiations, which were brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. This phase aims to secure a more lasting ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid. However, Israel has preferred an extension of the first phase until mid-April and has restricted aid access to Gaza amid the ongoing impasse.
Mediators Urge Resumption of Humanitarian Aid
Over the weekend, Hamas representatives met with mediators in Cairo, stressing the need for an immediate resumption of aid deliveries without conditions. In a statement, Hamas urged Egypt, Qatar, and the US—key intermediaries in the negotiations—to ensure that Israel abides by the terms of the ceasefire and progresses towards the next phase.
“We call on mediators in Egypt and Qatar, as well as the guarantors in the US administration, to ensure that the occupation complies with the agreement… and proceeds with the second phase according to the agreed-upon terms,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told AFP.
Sources By Agencies
