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The Independent
11-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Inside Gaza where electricity has been cut off by the Israelis
Food prices are soaring, hospitals have ground to a halt and people are burning rubbish to cook, Palestinian civilians and medics have warned after Israel suspended the entry of goods and electricity into Gaza. The move has led to a hike in prices of essential food s, as well as fuel, forcing many to ration their meals. The disruption of power is also affecting wastewater treatment plants and a water desalination plant producing clean water. Rahma Salem, 38, a mother of seven, said that food including meat, chicken and vegetables were disappearing and what was available - like potatoes - had nearly quadrupled in price. 'How can I feed my children? Even water has become less available after the announcement of cutting off electricity to desalination plants,' she said. With the lack of cooking gas and now no firewood, she described how they were reduced to burning rubbish, including plastic, to try to cook, which is making her family sick. Last week, Israel sparked condemnation from countries including the UK when it blocked the entry of supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel imports to the war-ravaged territory. It said it was part of pressuring the Hamas militant group to extend the first phase of their ceasefire that ended last weekend. In an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war, on Sunday, the Israeli authorities then announced they would also cut off further electricity supplies. Kifah Rahman, 53, who is in the heavily destroyed north of Gaza, said there is nothing to buy in the markets anymore. 'Everything is unavailable in the markets after the closure, and if you can find it, the prices are very expensive to buy, including flour, meat, vegetables, and fish,' she said. 'Our children are deprived of everything.' Healthcare officials said they were concerned as hospital generators run out of fuel and supplies of medicines run low with the blockade on aid. 'The situation is catastrophic in the literal sense. The existing generators are worn out, and the fuel is not enough. There is no potable water; the simplest necessities of life are not available,' said Sohaib Al-Hamas, director of Kuwaiti Hospital. He added that ambulances have stopped working as a result of the almost complete halt in the entry of petrol. Israel launched an unprecedented assault on Gaza after the 7 October attacks on the south of the country by Hamas, which saw the militants kill over 1,200 people and take more than 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's onslaught on Gaza has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, left most of its people destitute, and razed much of the territory to the ground. Israel had already cut the power supply at the start of the war, but on Sunday, Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen said he had instructed the Israel Electric Corporation not to sell electricity to Gaza in what he described as a means of pressure on Hamas to free hostages. This would affect a wastewater treatment plant presently supplied with power, according to the Israeli electricity company. The Palestinian Water Authority told Reuters that the decision suspended operations at a water desalination plant that produced 18,000 cubic metres of water per day for the population in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip was disastrous. "The decision is catastrophic; municipalities will now be obliged to let sewage water stream into the sea, which may result in environmental and health risks that go beyond the boundaries of Gaza," said Mohammad Thabet, a spokesperson for the Gaza power distribution plant. The decision to cut aid last week piles pressure on a population in Gaza of more than 2 million who almost entirely depend on aid, warned the United Nations Palestinian refugees agency, UNRWA. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on Monday it is so critical it will see a return to the deepening hunger crisis, as the besieged Strip has teetered on the edge of famine. Hamas describes the measure as "collective punishment" and insists it will not be pushed into making concessions at the discussions. A fragile US, Qatar, and Egyptian-brokered ceasefire has been in place since 19 January. So far, Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. But the truce's initial 42-day stage has expired, and Hamas and Israel have been at loggerheads over the second and third phases which tackle the postwar governance of Gaza and the future of Hamas itself. Underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire, an Israeli airstrike killed one Palestinian in the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, medics said. There was no immediate Israeli comment. Right now, Arab mediators, Egypt and Qatar, and the US are trying to salvage the ceasefire deal and hold talks with Hamas leaders in Doha, with Israeli negotiators arriving on Monday. In Gaza, families said they were desperate. 'For example, a kilo of onions was 5 shekels, it became 10, a kilo of potatoes was 7 shekels, it became 25 shekels now, there is now no meat or chicken, and so on for the rest of the food items, so how can I provide food for ten members of my family?' Rahma asked in desperation. 'Everything is at a standstill: electricity, water, education, and all schools have been turned into shelters. My daughter, who is ten years old, only dreams of having a chicken. Her dreams have become limited to finding chicken, while she was supposed to dream of becoming a doctor or a scientist,' she added. Kifah said: 'We are waiting for nothing. We are waiting for an unknown future, amidst threats of a return to war and displacement.'
Egypt Independent
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Israel cuts electricity to last facility in Gaza receiving Israeli power
CNN — Israel says it has cut the flow of electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation. 'I just signed an order for the immediate halt of electricity to the Gaza Strip,' Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen said in a statement Saturday, adding that the country would 'operate all of the tools that are at our disposal, to ensure the return of all the hostages.' Israel cut off electricity supplies to Gaza following the Hamas' attacks of October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, but the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) had since reconnected power to a wastewater treatment facility following a government directive. A spokesperson for the IEC confirmed to CNN that, 'Today, a directive was received to disconnect the (electricity) to the facility, and this was done.' Hamas' spokesperson Hazem Qassem suggested the move would have little practical effect given the earlier cutoffs. However, he criticized it as 'behavior that 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.' Since Israel launched its war on Hamas in Gaza in response to the October 7 attacks, Gazans have relied largely on generators and solar power for electricity. Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the energy ministry's latest move, and urged the government to go even further, by targeting the fuel that had entered the enclave following the ceasefire and hostages deal agreed between Israel and Hamas. 'The Gaza Strip must be completely and immediately blacked out as long as even one Israeli hostage is being held there,' he said. 'Israel must bomb the huge fuel depots that entered the Strip as part of the unfortunate deal, as well as the generators operated by Hamas.' The news comes even as talks over the fragile ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas take place. Last week, Israel announced it would stop the entry of all humanitarian aid into the enclave to pressure Hamas into accepting new terms for an extension of the ceasefire agreement after the initial phase of the truce expired. Israel wants to extend the first phase of the deal to continue the exchange of hostages, alive and deceased, in return for the continued release of Palestinian prisoners and the flow of higher volumes of aid into Gaza – but without any commitment to permanently ending the war. Hamas has insisted on moving forward with the second phase of the ceasefire deal, which involves negotiations for a permanent end to the war in Gaza. A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss the ceasefire deal and to push for a potential second phase of the agreement, while Israel said Saturday it had 'accepted an invitation' from US-backed mediators to send an Israeli delegation to Doha on Monday, 'in an effort to advance the negotiations.' An Israeli source told CNN that Israel was 'giving negotiations a chance' before it returns to fighting in Gaza. US President Donald Trump's special envoy for hostages Adam Boehler expressed optimism Sunday about a potential truce between Israel and Hamas following direct talks with the militant group this week. 'I think something could come together within weeks. I will say that I believe there is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they've accepted and what Israel wants and it's accepted. And I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans,' Boehler told CNN's Jake Tapper on 'State of the Union.' Fifty-nine hostages are thought to remain in Gaza, more than half of whom are thought to be dead, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. Five of the 59 are American Israelis, only one of whom – Edan Alexander – is still alive. On Sunday, senior Hamas official Taher Al Nunu was quoted by Al Aqsa TV – a channel affiliated to the militant group – as saying that it did not oppose releasing Alexander as part of negotiations to end the war. Hamas had related that message to US officials during recent talks focused on implementing an interim agreement aimed at ending the war, Al Nunu said. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Saudi Gazette
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Gaza faces worsening conditions as Israel cuts off electricity supply
GAZA — Israel announced on Sunday it is cutting off its electricity supply to Gaza. It comes after it cut all supplies of goods to the crisis-ravaged Palestinian territory last week. The full effects were not immediately clear, but the arid territory's desalination plants receive power for producing drinking water. Israel last week cut of all supplies of good to the territory of over two million people, in an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of its war with Hamas. It seeks to press the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire. That phase ended last weekend. Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas instead wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace. Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others. The militant group — which has warned that cutting off supplies to Gaza would affect the hostages as well — said Sunday it wrapped up the latest round of ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators without changes to its position, calling for an immediate start of the ceasefire's second phase. Israel had warned when it stopped all supplies that water and electricity could be next. The new letter from Israel's energy minister to the Israel Electric Corporation tells it to stop selling power to Gaza. The coastal territory and its infrastructure have been largely devastated by the war, and generators and solar panels are used for some of the power supply. The electricity cut also could affect water pumps and sanitation. Israel has faced sharp criticism over cutting off supplies to Gaza. 'Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment,' the United Nations human rights office said Friday. The ceasefire has paused the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The first phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza for the first time since early in the war and hundreds of trucks of aid entered per day until Israel suspended supplies. The White House on Wednesday made the surprise confirmation of direct US talks with Hamas. On Sunday, envoy Adam Boehler told CNN that 'I think you could see something like a long-term truce, where we forgive prisoners, where Hamas lays down their arms, where they agree they're not part of the political party going forward. "I think that's a reality. It's real close.' When asked if he would speak with the militant group again, Boehler replied, 'You never know.' He added: 'I think something could come together within weeks,' and expressed hope for a deal that would see all hostages released, not only the American ones. Hamas on Sunday didn't mention its talks with the U.S., but reiterated its support for a proposal for the establishment of an independent committee of technocrats to run Gaza until Palestinians hold presidential and legislative elections. That committee would work 'under the umbrella' of the Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank. Israel has rejected the PA having any role in Gaza, but hasn't put forward an alternative for postwar rule. Hamas' attack in October 2023 killed around 1,200 people in Israel, primarily civilians, and took 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were militants. Now, with the cutoff of all supplies to Gaza, Palestinians are reporting sharp price increases for dwindling items as fears grow again, in the middle of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 'Since the ceasefire began, the situation has improved a little. But before that, the situation was very bad,' said Fares al-Qeisi in the southern city of Khan Younis. 'I swear to God, one could not satisfy their hunger.' — Euronews
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel cuts off electricity supply to Gaza, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory. Hamas called it part of Israel's 'starvation policy." Israel last week suspended supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war. Israel is pressing the militant group to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire. That phase ended last weekend. Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas instead wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace. Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others. The militant group — which has warned that discontinuing supplies would affect the hostages — said Sunday that it wrapped up the latest round of ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators without changes to its position. Israel has said it would send a delegation to Qatar on Monday in an effort to 'advance' the negotiations. Israel had warned when it stopped all supplies that water and electricity could be next. The letter from Israel's energy minister to the Israel Electric Corporation tells it to stop selling power to Gaza. The territory and its infrastructure have been largely devastated, and most facilities, including hospitals, now use generators. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassam said that Israel has 'practically' cut off electricity since the war began and called the latest decision part of Israel's 'starvation policy, in clear disregard for all international laws and norms." The desalination plant was providing 18,000 cubic meters of water per day for central Gaza's Deir al-Balah area, according to Gisha, an Israeli organization dedicated to protecting Palestinians' right to freedom of movement. Executive director Tania Hary said that it's expected to run on generators and produce around 2,500 cubic meters per day, about the amount in an Olympic swimming pool. Israel's restrictions on fuel entering Gaza have a larger impact, Hary said, and water shortages are a looming issue, because fuel is needed for distribution trucks. Israel has faced sharp criticism over suspending supplies. 'Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment,' the U.N. human rights office said Friday. The International Criminal Court said there was reason to believe Israel had used 'starvation as a method of warfare' when it issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year. The allegation is central to South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. Israel has denied the accusations, saying it has allowed in enough aid and blaming shortages on what it called the United Nations' inability to distribute it. It also accused Hamas of siphoning off aid. The leader of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, warned Friday that attacks against Israel-linked vessels off Yemen would resume within four days if aid doesn't resume to Gaza. The Houthis described their earlier attacks as solidarity with Palestinians there. The ceasefire has paused the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The first phase allowed the return of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza and hundreds of trucks of aid entered per day until Israel suspended supplies. US envoy describes talks with Hamas The White House on Wednesday made the surprise confirmation of direct U.S. talks with Hamas. On Sunday, envoy Adam Boehler told Israeli broadcaster Kan that Hamas has suggested a truce of five to 10 years while it would disarm. The militant group has previously called disarming unacceptable. A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss contacts with the U.S., said that the group had expressed its longstanding position that it would lay down its arms in return for a 'fair and just solution' that includes an independent Palestinian state. Boehler also told CNN that 'I think you could see something like a long-term truce, where we forgive prisoners, where Hamas lays down their arms, where they agree they're not part of the political party going forward. I think that's a reality. It's real close.' When asked if he would speak with the militant group again, Boehler replied, 'You never know.' He added: 'I think something could come together within weeks,' and expressed hope for a deal that would see all hostages released, not only American ones. Boehler has said four of the five American hostages in Gaza are dead, with Edan Alexander alive. Hamas on Sunday didn't mention the talks, but reiterated its support for a proposal for the establishment of an independent committee of technocrats to run Gaza until Palestinians hold presidential and legislative elections. Hamas' attack in October 2023 killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, inside Israel and took 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Many Israelis are pressing for a deal to bring everyone home. 'We are here to send a clear message to the Israeli government: stop stalling,' Zahiro Shahar Mor, nephew of slain hostage Avraham Munder, said in front of tents set up outside Israel's defense ministry in one demonstration. Israel's military offensive has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't say how many of the dead were militants. With the cutoff of supplies to Gaza, Palestinians are reporting sharp price increases for dwindling items during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. 'Since the ceasefire began, the situation has improved a little. But before that, the situation was very bad,' said Fares al-Qeisi in the southern city of Khan Younis. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. ___ Follow developments at
See - Sada Elbalad
09-03-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Israel Orders Complete Power Cut to Gaza
H-Tayea Israeli Energy Minister announced that Israel has decided to cut electricity supply to Gaza, according to Cairo News Channel. The minister stated that he instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to halt power transmission to the strip.
