BERLIN – The German government said yesterday that Israel’s decision to halt aid deliveries and cut off the electricity supply to Gaza could prompt a fresh humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

Referring to the decision to stop aid, foreign ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer told a regular press conference Gaza was “again threatened with a food shortage”.
“We note with great concern the cutting off of electricity and the discussion about stopping the water supply,” she said.

“Such steps are or would be unacceptable and incompatible with (Israel’s) obligations under international law,” Deschauer added.
She said Germany “calls on the Israeli government to lift restrictions for all forms of humanitarian aid to Gaza with immediate effect”.

The first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas expired at the beginning of March with no agreement on subsequent stages that would aim to secure a lasting end to the war that erupted with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Israel has halted aid deliveries to Gaza amid the deadlock, and on Sunday announced it was cutting off the electricity supply to the territory.

Israel was due to send a delegation to Qatar yesterday for a fresh round of talks on extending a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, after cutting off the electricity supply to ramp up pressure on Hamas.

The first phase of the deal expired at the beginning of March with no agreement on subsequent stages that should secure a lasting end to the war that erupted with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

There are differences over how to proceed — Hamas wants immediate negotiations on the next phase, but Israel prefers extending phase one.
Hamas accused Israel of reneging on the ceasefire deal, saying in a statement Monday Israel “refuses to commence the second phase, exposing its intentions of evasion and stalling”.

Media reports said a top official from the domestic security agency Shin Bet will lead Israel’s delegation.
Israel has halted aid deliveries to Gaza amid the deadlock, and on Sunday announced it was cutting off the territory’s electricity supply.
“We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after” the war, Energy Minister Eli Cohen said as he ordered the power cut.

The move echoed the early days of the war when Israel announced a “complete siege” on the Palestinian territory, severing the electricity supply which was only restored in mid-2024.
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanoua said Israel’s move will impact its hostages still held in Gaza.
“The decision to cut electricity is a failed option and poses a threat to its (Israeli) prisoners, who will only be freed through negotiations,” Qanoua said in a statement yesterday.
Germany criticised Israel for its latest decisions.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer said Gaza was “again threatened with a food shortage” and that cutting off electricity was “unacceptable and not compatible with (Israel’s) obligations under international law”.
The sole power line between Israel and Gaza supplies its main desalination plant, and Gazans now mainly rely on solar panels and fuel-powered generators to produce electricity.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians now live in tents across Gaza, where temperatures reach a night-time low of about 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit).
Top Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq called Israel’s decision “to cut off electricity to Gaza, after depriving it of food, medicine, and water” a “desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance”. – Nampa/AFP