CITIZENS NEWS

Israel cuts all electricity to Gaza, deepening suffering and raising fears of escalation

By isabelle // 2025-03-11

• Israel has cut all electricity to Gaza, worsening the humanitarian crisis for 2.3 million residents.
• The move is seen as a potential precursor to military escalation amid a fragile ceasefire.
• Gaza’s water desalination and healthcare systems are collapsing due to the power cutoff.
• Hardline Israeli officials advocate for harsher measures, while Hamas condemns the decision as "genocidal war."
• Ceasefire negotiations are stalled, with Israel demanding the release of hostages and Hamas pushing for lasting peace.

Israel has cut all electricity supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip, plunging the enclave into darkness and intensifying the humanitarian crisis for its 2.3 million residents. The decision, announced Sunday by Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, comes as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas falters, raising fears of an imminent military escalation. Cohen stated that Israel would use "all means available … to ensure the return of all Israeli hostages" and to force Hamas out of Gaza. This drastic measure, which follows months of intermittent blackouts, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and Palestinian officials, who accuse Israel of employing starvation and deprivation as tools of war. The electricity cutoff has left Gaza’s already strained infrastructure in shambles, with dire consequences for water desalination, healthcare, and daily life. Local officials warn that the decision will exacerbate the enclave’s water crisis, as desalination plants—critical for providing drinking water—are now unable to function. “Cutting off the electricity to Gaza will increase the need for water, especially drinking water,” said Asem Al Nabih, mayor of Gaza municipality. Nizar Ayyash, mayor of Deir al-Balah, added that the move would result in a 70% reduction in desalinated water suitable for drinking in central and southern Gaza.

A precursor to military action?

The decision to sever Gaza’s electricity supply is widely seen as a precursor to further military action. Historically, such measures have signaled impending escalations in Israel’s operations against Hamas. Hardline Israeli politicians have openly advocated for harsher measures, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir praising the electricity cutoff and urging the government to go further. “The Gaza Strip must be completely and immediately blacked out as long as even one Israeli hostage is being held there,” Ben Gvir said. He also called for Israel to bomb fuel depots and generators operated by Hamas, a move that would further cripple Gaza’s ability to function. Hamas, meanwhile, has condemned the decision as part of Israel’s broader strategy to wage “genocidal war” against Palestinians. “This behavior confirms the occupation’s intent to continue its genocidal war against Gaza, through the use of starvation policies, in clear disregard for all international laws and norms,” said Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem. The militant group has called on mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to pressure Israel into complying with the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

A fragile ceasefire on the brink

The electricity cutoff comes amid tense negotiations over the future of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The initial phase of the truce, which involved the exchange of hostages and prisoners, has largely held, but talks over a second phase have stalled. Israel has demanded the release of all remaining hostages—59 of whom are still believed to be in Gaza, more than half presumed dead—before committing to a permanent end to the war. Hamas, however, insists on moving forward with negotiations for a lasting peace. The White House has remained largely silent on the issue, though President Donald Trump has warned of “hell” to pay if all Israeli captives are not released. Meanwhile, US officials have expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a deal. “I think something could come together within weeks,” said Adam Boehler, Trump’s special envoy for hostages, during an interview with CNN. As Gaza grapples with the immediate fallout of Israel’s electricity cutoff, the broader implications are deeply troubling. The move not only intensifies the suffering of Palestinians but also raises the specter of renewed violence in a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives. With Gaza’s infrastructure on the brink of collapse and its population facing unprecedented deprivation, the international community faces a critical test of its commitment to human rights and peace. For now, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a humanitarian catastrophe, their fate hanging in the balance as negotiations teeter on the edge of failure. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com CNN.com AlJazeera.com

terrorism Israel violence genocide Hamas power chaos electricity humanitarian WWIII Gaza