Israel’s step-by-step plan to pressure Hamas began with blocking the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza.
(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
Israel will stop supplying electricity to Gaza “immediately,” Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Sunday.
“We will activate every tool we have to ensure our hostages return home and Hamas is not in Gaza after the war,” he said.
Cohen signed the order to stop the flow of electricity to Gaza shortly after the announcement.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel’s step-by-step plan to pressure Hamas would begin with blocking the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza, with the next phase being the shutting of electricity and water.
In July, Israel connected a water facility in Gaza to Israel’s electric grid to provide water on a medium- to longer-term basis for Gazans at a rate of up to 20,000 liters per day, a policy that served to maintain Israel’s global legitimacy, IDF sources said.
After US President Donald Trump’s February threat to Hamas to release all hostages in one fell swoop, he said that the US “will back” whatever decision Israel makes in response.
Trump and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, have also warned of a return to war should Hamas refuse to comply.
The next steps
If all economic and infrastructure pressures fail, Israel may escalate to targeted airstrikes and special forces raids against Hamas leadership and military positions, Israeli security analysts briefed on the plan told the Wall Street Journal.
The next step could involve forcing Palestinians who returned to northern Gaza during the ceasefire to evacuate once again.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post