Israel Halts Electricity to Gaza, Impacting Water Supply Amid Ongoing Conflict
The cessation of electricity affects critical desalination efforts in Gaza as hostilities and ceasefire negotiations continue.
TEL AVIV: Israel has ceased its electricity supply to Gaza, officials reported on Sunday, significantly impacting a desalination plant critical for drinking water production in the region.
This action has prompted Hamas to denounce it as part of Israel's 'starvation policy'.
Previously, Israel had suspended the supply of goods to Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians reside, mirroring early siege conditions from previous conflicts.
Israel is currently negotiating with Hamas regarding the terms of a ceasefire.
The first phase of this temporary truce ended last weekend, with Israel requesting Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for discussions aimed at establishing a more permanent peace agreement.
Hamas, however, seeks to initiate negotiations on the more complex aspects of the ceasefire, which include the release of all remaining hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assurances of lasting peace.
Currently, Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others.
Following the recent cessation of electricity, the desalination plant that supplied approximately 18,000 cubic meters of water daily to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza is expected to operate on generators, producing only about 2,500 cubic meters daily.
Tania Hary, the executive director of Gisha, an Israeli organization advocating for Palestinian rights, emphasized that ongoing restrictions on fuel entering Gaza exacerbate water scarcity issues, as fuel is crucial for transportation and distribution of water.
The situation has drawn severe criticism from various global actors.
The UN human rights office stated that any denial of essential goods and services could constitute collective punishment.
Similarly, the International Criminal Court has expressed concern regarding allegations of Israel employing 'starvation as a method of warfare,' a charge that forms part of South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide.
Israel, for its part, has rejected these allegations, asserting that it has facilitated sufficient humanitarian aid, and claims that shortages stem from the UN's failure to distribute aid properly, alongside accusations against Hamas for misappropriating resources.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the leader of the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen issued a warning that attacks on vessels linked to Israel would recommence within four days if aid to Gaza does not resume.
This follows prior Houthis attacks described as expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The ceasefire, albeit temporary, has markedly reduced hostilities in a conflict that arose following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This initial phase of the truce allowed the return of 25 hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Following the ceasefire arrangement, some Israeli military forces have retreated to buffer zones in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced returning to northern areas and substantial aid convoys entering daily until the recent suspension of goods.
Additionally, news has emerged regarding direct U.S. engagement with Hamas, as confirmed by the White House.
U.S. envoy Adam Boehler revealed that Hamas had proposed a long-term truce spanning five to ten years, conditional on disarmament—a stance that contradicts their previous position regarding arms.
A senior Hamas official noted that the group would only consider disarmament in exchange for a 'fair and just solution' that envisions an independent Palestinian state.
Reports indicate that discussions may lead to a broader agreement within weeks, and while Boehler has expressed optimism about securing the release of hostages, he acknowledged that the situation remains fluid.
Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its commitment to establishing an independent committee of technocrats to govern Gaza pending future elections.
Since the outbreak of conflict, approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in Israel due to the October attack, while Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were militants.
The recent cut off of supplies has led to steep price increases for essential goods across Gaza, especially impacting the population during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as residents voice mounting grievances amid worsening living conditions.
This action has prompted Hamas to denounce it as part of Israel's 'starvation policy'.
Previously, Israel had suspended the supply of goods to Gaza, where over 2 million Palestinians reside, mirroring early siege conditions from previous conflicts.
Israel is currently negotiating with Hamas regarding the terms of a ceasefire.
The first phase of this temporary truce ended last weekend, with Israel requesting Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in exchange for discussions aimed at establishing a more permanent peace agreement.
Hamas, however, seeks to initiate negotiations on the more complex aspects of the ceasefire, which include the release of all remaining hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and assurances of lasting peace.
Currently, Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the remains of 35 others.
Following the recent cessation of electricity, the desalination plant that supplied approximately 18,000 cubic meters of water daily to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza is expected to operate on generators, producing only about 2,500 cubic meters daily.
Tania Hary, the executive director of Gisha, an Israeli organization advocating for Palestinian rights, emphasized that ongoing restrictions on fuel entering Gaza exacerbate water scarcity issues, as fuel is crucial for transportation and distribution of water.
The situation has drawn severe criticism from various global actors.
The UN human rights office stated that any denial of essential goods and services could constitute collective punishment.
Similarly, the International Criminal Court has expressed concern regarding allegations of Israel employing 'starvation as a method of warfare,' a charge that forms part of South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alleging genocide.
Israel, for its part, has rejected these allegations, asserting that it has facilitated sufficient humanitarian aid, and claims that shortages stem from the UN's failure to distribute aid properly, alongside accusations against Hamas for misappropriating resources.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the leader of the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen issued a warning that attacks on vessels linked to Israel would recommence within four days if aid to Gaza does not resume.
This follows prior Houthis attacks described as expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The ceasefire, albeit temporary, has markedly reduced hostilities in a conflict that arose following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This initial phase of the truce allowed the return of 25 hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Following the ceasefire arrangement, some Israeli military forces have retreated to buffer zones in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced returning to northern areas and substantial aid convoys entering daily until the recent suspension of goods.
Additionally, news has emerged regarding direct U.S. engagement with Hamas, as confirmed by the White House.
U.S. envoy Adam Boehler revealed that Hamas had proposed a long-term truce spanning five to ten years, conditional on disarmament—a stance that contradicts their previous position regarding arms.
A senior Hamas official noted that the group would only consider disarmament in exchange for a 'fair and just solution' that envisions an independent Palestinian state.
Reports indicate that discussions may lead to a broader agreement within weeks, and while Boehler has expressed optimism about securing the release of hostages, he acknowledged that the situation remains fluid.
Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its commitment to establishing an independent committee of technocrats to govern Gaza pending future elections.
Since the outbreak of conflict, approximately 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, have lost their lives in Israel due to the October attack, while Israeli military actions have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were militants.
The recent cut off of supplies has led to steep price increases for essential goods across Gaza, especially impacting the population during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as residents voice mounting grievances amid worsening living conditions.
