Israeli Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen signed an order on Sunday instructing the Israel Electric Corporation to immediately halt the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip.
“I have signed an order to immediately cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip. Enough talk, it’s time for action!” Cohen wrote in a post on X.
The move follows Israel’s announcement that it was halting the entry of goods into Gaza, citing Hamas’s refusal to accept a proposal to extend the initial stage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal.
This step is part of a series of decisions made by the Israeli Diplomatic-Security Cabinet in recent months regarding Gaza amid the ongoing war with Hamas since 7 October 2023.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that he was prepared to increase the pressure and would not rule out cutting off all electricity to Gaza if Hamas did not shift its position in negotiations to free the hostages and end the war.
Netanyahu also stated that no goods or supplies would enter Gaza until further notice.