Israel Plans to Cut Off Water and Electricity in Gaza After Blocking All Humanitarian Aid: Reports
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- As Israel considers its next steps after blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, in violation of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli reports now suggest that the occupation government is planning to also cut electricity and water supplies to the enclave.
According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, Israel is willing to cut electricity and water if Hamas does not agree to extend phase one of the ceasefire deal, instead of moving on to phase two.
The newspaper reported that mediators have been given a few days to persuade Hamas to bend to Israel’s demands, with Netanyahu not preparing to agree to end the assault.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Energy Minister Eli Cohen is planning to request a stop to the supply of electricity to Gaza in the next cabinet meeting.
Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan News, also claimed in a report that Gaza has enough food supplies for “four months,” so Israel has halted all fuel supplies that are used to generate electricity and is considering cutting off water to all of Gaza.
Israel's public broadcaster, Kan, claims that Gaza has sufficient food supplies to last four months. Therefore, Israel has stopped all fuel deliveries and is considering shutting off water access across Gaza. pic.twitter.com/y04S9E3OjJ
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 3, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Sunday morning confirming that Israel had blocked the entry of all goods into Gaza following the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
The move, which coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, came after Hamas refused to accept the extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
Israel said that it had accepted a last-minute proposal put on the table by the US president’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire over Ramadan and Passover.
According to Israel, the proposal also outlined the release of all captives still in Gaza in two stages, with the second stage contingent on negotiating a permanent ceasefire.
“With the end of phase one of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the [US envoy Steve] Witkoff outline for continuing the talks – to which Israel agreed, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that starting this morning all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease,” the statement said.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences.”
Hamas refused to extend it, noting it would only accept moving to the second stage, which was supposed to guarantee the definitive end of the assault, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of remaining captives.
Hamas also slammed Israel’s decision to block the entry of aid and adopt the US proposal. In a statement, the movement said this “is a blatant attempt to renege on the agreement and evade negotiations for its second phase.”
“Netanyahu’s decision to block the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza is a cheap blackmail and a war crime in an appalling violation of the ceasefire deal. Mediators and the international community must act to place pressure on the occupation and put an end to its punitive and immoral measures against more than two million people in the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas stated that Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire, which has resulted in the killing of over 100 martyrs in Gaza and the disruption of the humanitarian protocol. This includes blocking the entry of sheltering and relief aid, further aggravating the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has committed around 962 violations of the ceasefire agreement, including the cold-blooded killing of 100 citizens and the injury of 490 others across various areas.
“Open Gates of Hell”: Far-Right Ministers Hail Netanyahu’s Decision
“I welcome the decision to halt the humanitarian aid if it is implemented,” said Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
“The decision has finally been made – better late than never. This should be the policy until the last of the hostages is returned. Now is the time to open the gates of hell, shut off the electricity and water, return to war, and most importantly, not settle for just half of the hostages, but to return to President Trump’s ultimatum all the hostages immediately or hell will break loose on Gaza.”
Ben Gvir referred to US President Donald Trump’s warning that “all hell” would break out if all the captives were not returned, while saying that it was ultimately Israel’s decision.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said “the decision we made tonight to completely halt the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas is destroyed or completely surrenders and all our hostages are returned is an important step in the right direction.”
Describing the move as the “threshold of the gates of hell,” he added: “Now we need to open those gates as quickly and lethally as possible on the cruel enemy, until absolute victory.”
Nissim Vaturi, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party,
also wrote on X, “Have the gates of hell opened!? Bomb the food supplies that have already been brought into Gaza from the air today!” Vaturi called last week for executing all Palestinian men in Gaza, as well as the destruction of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. He also said Israel should simply “burn Gaza”.
שערי הגיהנום נפתחו!? להפציץ עוד היום מהאוויר את מאגרי המזון שכבר הוכנסו לעזה!
— ניסים ואטורי Nissim Vaturi 🇮🇱 (@nissimv) March 2, 2025
