Wiktor Wise
Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza, plunging the strip into darkness and impairing the operability of water and sanitation infrastructure. The decision to cut off electricity comes after Israel halted the supply of food, medicine, and other aid to Gaza, which has left residents grappling with food insecurity and a tripling of prices for essentials. The move is seen as an attempt to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages and end the war.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 March 2025 |
| Reason | To pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and ending the war |
| Affected infrastructure | Drinking water, sanitation, hospitals |
| Alternative power sources in Gaza | Generators, solar panels |
| Number of hostages in Gaza | 24 living, 35 bodies |
| Number of US citizens among the hostages | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Israel's rationale for cutting electricity to Gaza
Israel's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza has been justified by Israeli officials, members of the Knesset, military officers, and the government as a means to pressure Hamas into releasing Israeli hostages. Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated that Israel would use "all the tools at [their] disposal" to secure the release of hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer present in Gaza.
The decision to cut electricity has been criticized by Amnesty International, which stated that Israel's actions violate international humanitarian law and are evidence of Israel's "genocide against Palestinians." The United Nations human rights office also commented on the issue, stating that "any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment."
Israel's actions have resulted in severe consequences for the people of Gaza, including food insecurity, tripling of essential item prices, and a lack of access to clean drinking water. The electricity blackout has particularly impacted the operation of desalination plants, which are crucial for providing clean drinking water.
Israel's military offensive in Gaza has also resulted in a high number of Palestinian casualties, with the Hamas-run Health Ministry reporting that over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children. The exact number of militants among the dead is unclear.
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The impact on Gaza's water supply
On March 9, 2025, Israel cut off its electricity supply to Gaza as ceasefire talks with Hamas remained in limbo. This decision came a week after Israel suspended supplies of goods to the territory of over 2 million people.
The impact of Israel's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza was felt most acutely in the territory's water supply. The blackout affected a desalination plant that produced drinking water for the arid region. The South Sea desalination plant was the only facility in Gaza to be connected to Israel's electricity grid. The decision to disconnect it reduced its capacity to produce drinking water by 85%, from 18,000 cubic meters per day to just 3,000. This had devastating consequences for civilians in central and southern Gaza, who were already facing water shortages due to the displacement and destruction caused by the conflict.
The loss of electricity also impaired the operability of nearly all of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as hospitals and other essential services. The United Nations human rights office warned that "any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment."
Israel's obstruction of fuel imports further exacerbated the water crisis in Gaza, as the territory's water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure relied heavily on fuel-powered generators after the electricity cut-off. The entry of fuel into Gaza was first completely blocked and then severely restricted, causing further damage to the already fragile water supply situation.
The impact of Israel's actions on Gaza's water supply has been described by Amnesty International as "inhumane and unlawful," with Erika Guevara Rosas, the Senior Director for Research, Advocacy Policy, and Campaigns, stating that "Israel must not be allowed to use water as a weapon of war."
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The impact on Gaza's sanitation infrastructure
The ongoing electricity crisis in the Gaza Strip has had a significant impact on the region's sanitation infrastructure. The crisis is a result of tensions between Hamas, the Palestinian Authority (PA), and Fatah, which rules the West Bank. The Hamas government in Gaza relies on the PA for electricity supply, which is purchased via Israel.
In March 2025, Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, affecting a desalination plant that produced drinking water. This decision came a week after Israel suspended all aid and commercial supplies, including vital humanitarian aid, fuel, and food. The United Nations human rights office stated that "any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment."
The impact of the electricity cutoff on Gaza's sanitation infrastructure has been devastating. The operability of nearly all water and sanitation infrastructure has been impaired, as this infrastructure relies heavily on electricity and fuel to function. The water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza was already in a fragile state due to overwhelming damage and destruction from Israel's military operations and the ongoing blockade.
The complete blocking of fuel supplies has threatened to shut down other water facilities, including wells. As a result, most residents in the Gaza Strip no longer have access to drinking water from service providers or domestic water through pipelines. The lack of electricity and fuel has also impacted the distribution of water, as fuel is needed for trucks to deliver water supplies.
The electricity crisis has led to a sanitation catastrophe in Gaza, with Amnesty International calling Israel's actions "cruel and unlawful." The organization has stated that Israel must immediately and fully restore Gaza's electricity supply and allow civilians access to essential goods and services, as per its legal obligation under international humanitarian law.
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The impact on Gaza's residents
Israel's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza has had a profound impact on the daily lives of Gaza's residents. With the power supply disrupted, the functioning of essential infrastructure, such as water and sanitation systems, has been severely affected. This has resulted in limited access to clean drinking water, creating water scarcity and a public health crisis. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in 2023 that "most residents in the Gaza Strip no longer have access to drinking water from service providers or domestic water through pipelines."
The impact of the electricity cut-off extends beyond water scarcity. Gaza's residents have also faced disruptions in other essential services, including hospitals and sewage treatment facilities. The operability of these critical facilities has been impaired, posing risks to public health and sanitation. Additionally, the entry of fuel into Gaza has been blocked or severely restricted by Israeli authorities, further exacerbating the challenges in power generation and the functioning of essential infrastructure.
The electricity cut-off has also contributed to food insecurity among Gaza's residents. With limited access to electricity and fuel, the ability to store and prepare food safely has likely been compromised. This, coupled with the cut-off of food supplies by Israel, has left residents grappling with uncertainty and skyrocketing prices for essential goods. The situation has been described as "weaponizing starvation" by UN rights experts.
The overall impact on the residents of Gaza has been devastating, with the territory's infrastructure already largely devastated by the war. The electricity cut-off has disrupted basic necessities, including access to water, sanitation, healthcare, and food. The situation has led to protests and demands for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. The United Nations human rights office has stated that "any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment."
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The international response to Israel's actions
Israel's decision to cut off electricity to Gaza has been met with widespread criticism and condemnation from various international organizations and human rights groups.
The United Nations human rights office stated that "any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment." The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in October 2023 that "most residents in the Gaza Strip no longer have access to drinking water from service providers or domestic water through pipelines."
Amnesty International's Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, stated that Israel's actions "violate international humanitarian law and are further evidence of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip." She added that Israel is "continuing its policy of deliberately imposing on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction – an act prohibited under the Genocide Convention." Amnesty International called for the immediate and full restoration of Gaza's electricity supply, emphasizing Israel's legal obligation to ensure the provision of essential goods and services under international humanitarian law.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also reported on Israel's deliberate deprivation of Palestinians in Gaza of water, electricity, and fuel, referring to it as "acts of genocide." They highlighted the impact of Israel's actions on water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the delivery of essential goods and services.
Protests have taken place in Tel Aviv, with people demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, Hamas and its allies have warned that cutting off supplies to Gaza would affect the hostages as well, calling for an immediate start to the ceasefire's second phase.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza.
Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza in an attempt to pressure Hamas into agreeing to a second phase of the ceasefire, which would involve the release of the remaining hostages from Gaza, a withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a permanent end to the war.
The electricity cut-off will likely intensify the existing water crisis in Gaza, as it will severely impact desalination efforts. It will also affect the operability of hospitals and other essential infrastructure.
Hamas has accused Israel of "cheap and unacceptable blackmail," while some Israeli officials have supported the decision, with far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir urging the government to go even further by targeting fuel supplies to Gaza. Humanitarian officials and the United Nations human rights office have expressed concern over the potential impact on the already meagre water supply and essential services in Gaza.
In addition to cutting off electricity, Israel has also cut off food, medicine, and other supplies to Gaza, leading to food insecurity and price increases for essentials. Israel has also intensified strikes in Gaza and threatened further destruction if all remaining hostages are not released.
