Israel Has Cut off the Electricity Supply to Gaza, Not Hamas
The Claim
When Hamas infiltrated Israel, they destroyed 9 out of 10 power lines to Gaza, Hananya Naftali said.
News posted on
Emerging story
Hananya Naftali, the former media officer for Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, alleged on his X account that Hamas is the one responsible for destroying 9 out of 10 power lines to Gaza. This allegedly occurred when Hamas fighters infiltrated Gaza border settlements on October 7, 2023. According to Hananya’s post, the blame for the power outage in Gaza lies with Hamas, not Israel.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be fake.
The decision to cut off the electricity supply to Gaza was a political one made by the Israel’s Energy Minister, Israel Katz.
Israel Decided to Cut off Basic Supplies to the Gaza Strip
On October 9, 2023, the Israeli Defence Minister announced a comprehensive blockade on the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Yoav Gallant posted on X: “I ordered a complete siege on Gaza. No electricity, no food, no water, no gas. We closed up everything.” He also added “we fight human animals, and act accordingly.”
On October 11, 2023, Israel’s Energy Minister, Israel Katz, stated that “Israel has supplied Gaza with electricity, water and fuel for years. Instead of showing gratitude, Gaza has sent thousands of human animals to slaughter, murder, rape and kidnap infants, women and the elderly. This is the main reason that Israel has decided to cut off electricity, water and fuel.” Katz also threatened in his post to continue to clamp down on Gaza until Hamas’s threat to Israel and the world is eliminated.
On October 12, 2023, Katz posted another tweet in response to demands to allow humanitarian aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip. He said “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water hydrant will be opened, and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home.”
It should be noted that these statements from the two Israeli ministers were made in response to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was launched by the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Furthermore, this operation resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Israelis, with dozens being captured.
Why Does Israel Control Vital Supplies to the Gaza Strip?
Despite Hamas’s control over Gaza, Israel has authority over its airspace and coastal area, severely restricting anything that can cross into the Gaza Strip. On the other hand, Egypt also controls all traffic through the Rafah border crossing, whether for people or goods. This highlights the lack of self-sufficiency in the Gaza strip, a harsh reality imposed by the security and economic blockade under which the people of Gaza have been suffering since 2006.
Human Rights Watch Calls on Israel to Restore Electricity Supplies to Gaza Strip
On Saturday, Human Rights Watch called on Israel to immediately restore electricity, water and humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing the deprivation of essential services for Gazans as “collective punishment” and a “war crime.”
The executive director for Human Rights Watch, Tirana Hassan, stated “There is no excuse for denying water, food, and medicine to Gaza’s civilian population. It is cruel and contrary to international law.”
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