Israel to Cut Off Gaza’s Electricity Supply Ahead of Doha Ceasefire Talks

Jerusalem – March 09, 2025
Israel announced on Sunday its intention to halt electricity supplies to Gaza, a move set to take effect immediately, just days before indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hamas are scheduled to resume in Doha. The decision escalates tensions as both sides prepare to discuss the second phase of a truce that began on January 19, following over 15 months of devastating war.

Immediate Electricity Cutoff Ordered

Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen declared in a video statement, “I have just signed an order to stop supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately.” He added, “We will use every tool at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure Hamas has no presence in Gaza the day after the war.” The move follows Israel’s decision a week ago to block humanitarian aid from entering the ravaged enclave, a step that has drawn sharp criticism amid an already dire situation.

The sole power line connecting Israel to Gaza powers the territory’s main desalination plant, serving over 600,000 people. With fuel deliveries limited and infrastructure heavily damaged, Gazans rely largely on solar panels and generators for electricity. The cutoff threatens to exacerbate an ongoing humanitarian crisis, particularly affecting water and sanitation systems.

Hamas Condemns "Desperate Blackmail"

Hamas swiftly condemned the decision. Ezzat al-Rashq, a member of the group’s political bureau, stated, “We strongly denounce the occupation’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza after depriving it of food, medicine, and water.” He called it “a desperate attempt to pressure our people and resistance through cheap, rejected blackmail.” The group has accused Israel of violating the January truce, claims mirrored by Israel’s accusations against Hamas.

On Sunday, a Hamas delegation led by acting leader Mohammed Darwish arrived in Doha after meetings in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. A senior Hamas official told AFP the group is preparing for the upcoming talks, pressing mediators to enforce Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire’s humanitarian protocols and initiate the second phase immediately.

Doha Talks Loom Amid Escalation

Israel confirmed it will send a delegation to Doha on Monday, following an invitation from U.S.-backed mediators, to address disputes over the truce’s next phase, which aims to end the war permanently. Local media reported that Israel’s security cabinet will meet Sunday to finalize the delegation’s mandate. Meanwhile, the Israeli military conducted an airstrike in northern Gaza on Sunday, targeting “terrorists” allegedly planting an explosive near troops, resulting in several deaths.

The first phase of the ceasefire, which ended last week after six weeks, facilitated the return of 33 Israeli hostages—eight of whom were deceased—in exchange for about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Israel now seeks to extend this phase until mid-April under a U.S. proposal, demanding the release of half the remaining hostages upfront and the rest contingent on a permanent deal. It also insists on Gaza’s “complete disarmament,” Hamas’s exit from the territory, and the return of all hostages before advancing.

Hamas, however, demands an immediate start to the second phase, including a full Israeli withdrawal, the lifting of the blockade, and Gaza’s reconstruction. Spokesperson Hazem Qassem urged mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to “compel Israel to implement the agreement, allow humanitarian aid, and begin the second phase as agreed.”

U.S. Envoy Optimistic Despite Tensions

U.S. Special Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler expressed confidence in reaching a deal, telling CNN, “I think something could come together within weeks… There’s enough there to free all the hostages, not just Americans.” Boehler described recent unprecedented direct talks with Hamas as “very helpful,” amid efforts to secure the release of remaining captives, including five American-Israelis.

As the Doha talks approach, the electricity cutoff and ongoing military actions underscore the fragile state of the truce, which paused a war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. With Gaza’s 2.4 million residents facing mounting hardships, the outcome of these negotiations could determine whether peace holds or violence resumes.

For the latest on Israel’s Gaza electricity cutoff, Doha ceasefire talks, and Hamas-Israel developments, stay updated.