Israeli Energy Minister: No power, water or fuel to Gaza until hostages freed
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Amid concerns about the rapidly depleting water, food, and fuel supplies in Gaza following consecutive nights of bombardment, Israel's Energy Minister, Israel Katz, announced that no relief measures, such as restoring electricity, water, or fuel, would be implemented until all hostages were freed. Katz conveyed this stance on social media, emphasizing that essential services would not resume until the release of what he referred to as "abductees." United Nations experts have condemned Israel's actions, labeling the bombardment as "collective punishment," a violation of international law.
In response to attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas in 20 Israeli communities, Israel is contemplating a ground invasion. This escalation, marked by the seizure of dozens of hostages, is considered the most serious conflict in the region in the past 50 years. Overnight strikes by the Israel Defense Forces resulted in at least 33 casualties, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 1,354. Houses in various areas were targeted, with residents desperately searching through rubble for survivors and bodies.
The extensive bombing campaign has led to the destruction of six neighborhoods in the strip, affecting 18 healthcare facilities, 20 ambulances, and claiming the lives of 11 healthcare workers, according to the World Health Organization. Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, is experiencing the most intense bombing in 16 years.
As of late Wednesday, the number of people displaced by airstrikes rose by 30% within 24 hours, reaching 339,000, with two-thirds seeking refuge in UN schools. The Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed, and Gaza's only power station ran out of fuel on Tuesday. The strip is now reliant on scattered private generators, which will also cease functioning without fuel. The Red Cross has urgently appealed for fuel deliveries to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, stating the risk of them turning into makeshift morgues.
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