Gazans could be left without drinking water after Israel cuts off electricity in a dispute with Hamas over hostage releases.
More than half a million people have returned to northern Gaza since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brought a pause to 18 months of war.
Their homes may be rubble, and Israel’s offensive may have killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, but the ceasefire offered a chance for peace.
It was supposed to run in three phases. First, an exchange of hostages taken by Hamas and its allies in the October 7, 2023, massacre, for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Israel withdrew its forces to a third of a mile within Gaza, the sick and wounded could be evacuated, and hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to enter the enclave.
Then negotiations began for the next stage of the ceasefire, and this is where they’ve got stuck.
Israel wants the first phase extended so hostage swaps can continue.
Hamas wants to move onto the second phase, in which it wants Israel’s full withdrawal.
Last week, Israel stopped all goods – including humanitarian aid – from entering Gaza right at the start of Ramadan, Muslims’ holy month.
Charities called this a ‘callous disregard for humanity’, increasing the risk that ‘thousands more could die from hunger and related diseases’.
Hamas called it a violation of international law. Israel warned of ‘further consequences’ if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages – of which 24 are believed to be alive.
Today Israel has followed through. Writing on X, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen said: ‘I have now signed an order to cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately. Enough with the talk, it’s time for action!’
It could mean Gaza’s desalination plants – which receive power via Israel -are unable to continue producing drinking water.
Israel’s decision came shortly after Hamas representatives left negotiations with Egyptian mediators with no change in their position.
The US has also confirmed it has had direct talks with Hamas.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said: ‘We call on mediators in Egypt and Qatar, as well as the guarantors in the US administration, to ensure that [Israel] complies with the agreement … and proceeds with the second phase according to the agreed-upon terms.’
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