Israel cuts Gaza’s last electricity supply, risking water shortages as ceasefire talks spiral into chaos
In a dramatic escalation of its pressure campaign on Hamas, Israel has ordered the shutdown of all remaining electricity supplies to Gaza, raising fears of an impending humanitarian disaster. The decision, announced by Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen, comes as ceasefire negotiations grow increasingly chaotic, with the U.S. now holding direct talks with Hamas—bypassing Israel entirely.
The consequences of this move could be devastating. With Gaza’s power grid already in ruins, most residents rely on diesel-fuelled generators. But humanitarian officials warn that the cut could cripple vital infrastructure, including the two desalination plants that provide Gaza’s meagre clean water supply. The territory’s last functioning sewage treatment plant is also at risk, potentially exacerbating the public health crisis.
In a video statement, Cohen declared that Israel would use “all means available” to bring hostages home and ensure Hamas is removed from Gaza. Hamas, in turn, has accused Israel of “blackmail” and “starvation tactics,” condemning the power cut as a “desperate attempt” to pressure the group into extending the ceasefire.
Israel is demanding that Hamas release more hostages and agree to extend the truce until mid-April, but Hamas insists on moving to the second phase of negotiations, which would include discussions on a permanent end to the war. While ceasefire talks have faltered, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Gaza, with military officials warning of a looming large-scale offensive. On Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck northern Gaza, targeting what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as militants planting explosives near Israeli troops. Another strike in Rafah targeted a suspected Hamas drone and a group of armed fighters.
Meanwhile, Hamas leaders met with mediators in Cairo over the weekend, urging Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to ensure Israel abides by the original ceasefire agreement and allows unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Washington has now entered direct negotiations with Hamas—a move that signals growing U.S. frustration with Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis. Trump’s envoy, Adam Boehler, described the meeting as “very helpful” and expressed confidence that a hostage release deal could be reached “within weeks.” Speaking to CNN, Boehler admitted it was “odd” sitting across from Hamas leaders, given the group’s longstanding terrorist designation in the U.S., but defended the decision, saying he was trying to break the deadlock. “I think something could come together within weeks … There is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans,” he said.
Reports suggest Netanyahu’s government was blindsided by the U.S.-Hamas talks, with some Israeli officials expressing outrage at being sidelined. Despite this, Netanyahu’s office confirmed it would send a delegation to Qatar on Monday to participate in ceasefire discussions.
The war has already displaced virtually the entire population of Gaza and left swathes of the territory in ruins. More than 48,000 people—mostly civilians—have been killed by Israel’s military campaign, which was triggered by Hamas’s surprise October 2023 attack on Israel that left 1,200 dead and 251 hostages taken.
The six-week ceasefire’s first phase allowed for the exchange of 25 living Israeli hostages and eight bodies in return for around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. It also temporarily reopened aid routes into Gaza, but Israel has since halted deliveries, prompting UN officials to accuse the government of “weaponising starvation.”
Trump has made no secret of his impatience. Last week, he issued what he called a “final warning” to Hamas, threatening further destruction if all hostages were not released. His previous comments on Gaza’s future—including a February remark suggesting Palestinians should be forcibly displaced so the strip could be rebuilt as the “riviera of the Middle East”—sparked global outrage.
Far-right Israeli officials are already embracing Trump’s vision. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich revealed on Sunday that Israel is planning a “migration directorate” to assist Gazans who wish to leave permanently. Meanwhile, Arab leaders have floated an alternative proposal in which an international trust fund would finance Gaza’s reconstruction, with the Palestinian Authority taking over governance.
As tensions mount, pressure is growing within Israel itself. At a rally in Tel Aviv over the weekend, families of the remaining hostages called for an immediate ceasefire, fearing that renewed fighting could lead to their loved ones’ deaths.
“The war won’t bring them back,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is still held captive. “It will kill them.”
With Israel tightening its grip on Gaza and ceasefire talks growing more chaotic by the day, the coming weeks could decide the future of the war—and the fate of those still trapped in its crossfire.
