Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Israel has officially moved forward with cutting off electricity to Gaza amid stalled ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Israel initially threatened to cut off electricity to Gaza as part of its broader strategy to pressure Hamas into agreeing to extend Phase 1 of the ceasefire deal. Israeli officials have framed the move as necessary to weaken Hamas and ensure the safe return of Israeli captives. When Biden was president, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal brokered with the help of the US and Qatar. The terms outlined a three-phase process:

• Phase 1 involved a temporary halt to fighting, the release of 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• Phase 2 was supposed to include the release of additional hostages, a significant withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
• Phase 3 aimed for a full Israeli military withdrawal, the release of all remaining hostages, and a lasting truce.As Phase 1 neared its end, Israel proposed extending it rather than moving to Phase 2, arguing that more hostages could be released under the current framework. Hamas rejected this, insisting that the process move to the next stage as initially agreed, which included Israel’s military withdrawal and a commitment to ending the war.

What’s going on now: In an announcement, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen ordered an immediate cutoff of electricity to Gaza and said that Israel would use “all tools at our disposal“ to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas. Cohen framed the move as a direct response to Hamas’ refusal to progress in ceasefire negotiations, insisting that Israel would not provide power or humanitarian aid while hostages remained captive.

Hamas, in response, condemned the decision as a form of collective punishment, with spokesperson Hazem Qassem accusing Israel of engaging in “a starvation policy” and disregarding international laws. Qassem argued that the power cutoff would have little operational impact since most of Gaza had already been forced to rely on generators and solar power due to previous restrictions, but he characterized it as another act of oppression.

Meanwhile, Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the move, urging the government to go further by targeting fuel supplies and Hamas-operated generators. He called for a “complete and immediate blackout” of Gaza. He argued that as long Israeli hostages remain in Hamas’s custody, no resources should be allowed in.

This comes as President Trump’s special envoy for hostages has signaled that there could be a deal on the horizon. In an interview on CNN, Adam Boehler said, “I think something could come together within weeks. I will say that I believe there is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they’ve accepted and what Israel wants and it’s accepted. And I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans.”

As of right now, there are 59 hostages in Gaza, with Israeli media reporting that likely half are dead. 5 of the 59 are Israeli American.