A number of Arab states have condemned Israel for cutting off electricity to a water desalination plant in the Gaza Strip, calling it a tactic to “starve” the territory’s population.
On Sunday, Israel announced that it was disconnecting from its grid the only power line to the last operational water desalination plant in Gaza, in an apparent effort to pressure Palestinian group Hamas to release Israeli captives, while Tel Aviv continues to evade negotiations on entering a second phase of the truce deal.
The plant reportedly serves the needs of over 600,000 Palestinians in the Strip, providing water to them through water tankers or networks in the areas of Deir Al-Balah and Khan Yunis, meaning the Israeli occupation has only further cut them off from scarce water sources, which were already limited.
The Israeli occupation’s actions – which add to the deprivation of Gaza’s population from other necessities including energy, food and essential aid – was condemned by numerous states in the international community, including surrounding Arab states that have increasingly expressed concern regarding Israel’s actions.
Israel’s blocking of food and aid deliveries worsens Gaza conditions
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry announced its “condemnation in the strongest terms of the Israeli occupation authorities’ use of collective punishment against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by cutting off electricity to the area”, calling on the international community to “take urgent actions immediately” against the move.
Qatar also said it “strongly condemns the Israeli occupation’s act of cutting electricity to the Gaza Strip, considering it a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” It urged “immediate action to provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian people.”
Jordan also spoke out against the Israeli decision, with its Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah calling the electricity cut “a clear continuation of the policy of starvation and siege imposed by Israel”, particularly coming around a week after Tel Aviv blocked the entry of aid into Gaza. Qudah called on the world “to assume its legal and moral responsibilities, and force Israel to continue with the ceasefire agreement… [and] restore electricity to Gaza.”