Israel orders immediate cut of electricity supply to Gaza

Israel ordered an immediate halt to Gaza’s electricity supply on Sunday in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages, even as it prepared for fresh talks on the future of its truce with the Palestinians.

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Israel’s decision comes a week after it blocked all aid supplies to the war-battered territory, a move reminiscent of the initial days of the war when Israel announced a “siege” on Gaza.

The truce’s initial phase ended on March 1 and both sides have refrained from returning to all-out war, despite sporadic violence including an air strike on Sunday that Israel said targeted Hamas members.

Hamas has repeatedly called for an imme- diate start to negotiations on the ceasefire's second phase, which was negotiated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, aiming to end the war permanently.

Israel says it prefers extending phase one until mid-April, and halted aid to Gaza over the impasse.

On Sunday it ordered a cut in the electric- ity supply.

“I have just signed the order to stop supplying electricity immediately to the Gaza Strip,” Energy Minister Eli Cohen said in a video statement.

“We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after” the war, he said.