Impact of Electricity Cutoff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has taken action resulting in the cutoff of electricity to the Gaza Strip, primarily affecting the only functioning desalination plant reliant on electricity supplied from Israel. The move has drawn significant criticism from various organization and human rights advocates.

Global Reactions

The Peace & Justice Project, established by Jeremy Corbyn, publicly condemned this cutoff as a “latest act of genocidal collective punishment against the Palestinian people,” urging for global sanctions against Israel.

In a similar vein, Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, labeled the situation a “GENOCIDE ALERT!” She emphasized the implications of the electricity cutoff, stating it would lead to non-functional desalination stations, thus depriving the population of clean water.

Responses from Palestinian Leaders

Izzat al-Rishq from Hamas condemned the decision as an attempt to pressure residents in Gaza and linked it with recent halts on humanitarian aid. Al-Rishq characterized the actions as unacceptable blackmail tactics that further exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Ongoing Water Crisis and Human Rights Concerns

The water crisis in Gaza has been escalating, with reports from Oxfam indicating a staggering 94% reduction in available water since July 2023. Currently, the average availability stands at only 4.74 liters per person daily, which is significantly below the recommended minimum in emergency situations.

A December report by Human Rights Watch accused Israel of committing “extermination and acts of genocide” by deliberately restricting access to water, a move that results in thousands of potential fatalities.

Political Context

Netanyahu’s government indicated that the recent actions were coordinated with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has proposed a controversial plan for an American takeover of Gaza. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that discussions regarding this plan are progressing.

The Cease-fire Stalemate

Israel and Hamas have entered into a fragile cease-fire agreement, which has not yielded clear terms for future negotiations. Critics argue that the current Israeli actions represent a strategy of collective punishment under the guise of political negotiations, raising serious concerns regarding compliance with international law.

Calls for Accountability

Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, denounced the escalating humanitarian crisis as a form of “barbaric collective punishment.” He and others urge immediate international intervention, including sanctions and the suspension of arms supply to Israel, emphasizing that civilian suffering must not be used as a strategy in geopolitical disputes.

University of Michigan professor Juan Cole stated that cutting essential supplies to the civilian population is a violation of the Geneva Convention and various international laws, calling the situation in Gaza intolerable.

International Response and Future Implications

The ongoing situation has prompted calls for a reevaluation of how the international community engages with Israel, particularly regarding military aid and humanitarian support. The ongoing trial concerning alleged genocide by Israel at the International Court of Justice further complicates the scenarios unfolding in Gaza.