By Gill Bikram Singh 
Israel has halted electricity supply to Gaza as a pressure tactic against Hamas, just as new negotiations over a ceasefire are set to take place. The move comes a week after Israel blocked all humanitarian aid to the region, echoing the strict blockade imposed in the early days of the war.
Hamas has strongly condemned the decision, calling it “blackmail.” The group previously used the same term when Israel stopped aid shipments.
Power Cut Amid Stalled Talks
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced the electricity cutoff on Sunday, stating, “We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza after the war.”
The power cut is expected to worsen conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, many of whom are living in makeshift shelters as nighttime temperatures drop to 12°C (54°F).
Hamas Pushes for Negotiations
Hamas leaders met with Egyptian mediators over the weekend, emphasizing the need for unrestricted aid deliveries. The group is pushing for a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal, the reopening of border crossings, and a hostage-prisoner exchange.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which ended on March 1, saw a temporary halt in hostilities and the exchange of hostages. Israel, however, is pushing to extend the current phase of the truce until mid-April rather than moving directly to permanent ceasefire talks.
International Response and Hostage Concerns
The United Nations has warned of worsening famine conditions in Gaza, with aid agencies struggling to distribute food and medical supplies. The UN has accused Israel of “weaponizing starvation” by cutting off essential resources.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Hamas, threatening further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages are not released. His administration has also confirmed direct negotiations with Hamas, despite previously designating it as a terrorist organization.
As of now, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including five Americans. A US hostage envoy has suggested a deal could be reached “within weeks” to secure their release.
While Israel insists on dismantling Hamas before considering a long-term truce, Arab nations have proposed an alternative peace plan focused on reconstruction and governance by the Palestinian Authority. Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich suggested that this proposal is now “taking shape.”
With tensions escalating, the upcoming truce talks in Doha will be crucial in determining the future of the conflict.