Israel to displace Gazans, cut power after ‘ceasefire rejection’

Israel is preparing for the mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and could cut electricity and water supplies to the devastated territory to pressure Hamas into agreeing to extend the first phase of a ceasefire and bring back all remaining captives held in Gaza since 7 October 2023, according to reports.

A plan drawn up by Israel reportedly envisions a return to war on Gaza, including the use of heavy bombs previously withheld by the former US administration under Joe Biden, according to broadcaster Kan.

The plan – dubbed “Hell” – is a harrowing strategy against the Palestinian people that could be put in place within a week, which includes the forced displacement of the population of northern Gaza to the south and a complete cut to electricity and water supplies to the enclave.  

This would mark an unprecedented escalation compared to recent weeks and months, according to Kan, while right-wing daily Israel Hayom said the plan could include the targeted assassinations of Hamas officials. 

The Israeli government has yet to publicly respond to the alleged plan for Gaza. 

It comes after Israel blocked all aid from entering Gaza following Hamas’s alleged refusal to implement Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal – an action denounced by rights groups as amounting to collective punishment and a war crime. 

Hamas has stated that it will not agree to an extension of phase one of the ceasefire and instead demands the implementation of phase two, as originally outlined in the ceasefire agreement.  

Israel has attempted to pressure the Palestinian armed group into accepting what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government claims is a US proposal to extend the ceasefire’s first phase, rather than moving forward with the second phase. 

In phase two, Hamas would release the remaining living hostages in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire.  

The first phase had allowed a surge in humanitarian aid following months of growing starvation, as well as a captive exchange that saw 25 living Israelis held by Hamas released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli jails.  

Hamas also returned the remains of eight deceased captives to Israel. 

After the first phase of the ceasefire ended early on Sunday, Israel announced its support for a new proposal to extend that phase through the Jewish holiday of Passover in April, claiming the plan was put forth by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. 

Israel also threatened to resume war if it deemed negotiations ineffective. 

Talks on the second phase were due to begin a month ago, adding to uncertainty over the fragile truce.  

Hamas has insisted that the negotiations commence immediately, prompting Israel to announce an immediate cut-off of aid to Gaza.  

Egypt, a key mediator of the ceasefire deal, denounced this as a “flagrant violation” of the agreement and accused Israel of using starvation as “a weapon against the Palestinian people”.  

Qatar, another key mediator in Gaza, also condemned the controversial move, stressing its strong opposition to the use of food as a weapon of war and the deliberate starvation of civilians. 

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to compel Israel to guarantee the safe and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance. 

Aid organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, warned that without access to essential supplies, Palestinians in Gaza are once again at extreme risk. 

Angelita Caredda, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, warned that cutting off aid would push Gaza’s civilian population beyond the brink.  

She called on Israel to “immediately reverse this decision” and urged international actors to take all necessary measures to restore aid access without further delays or disruptions. 

Hunger has remained a pressing issue throughout the war for Gaza’s over two million residents, with some aid experts raising concerns about possible famine. 

There are now intensified fears that the progress made during the past six weeks of the ceasefire could be lost.  

Following Israel’s cut-off of humanitarian aid, Al Jazeera English reported that Palestinians in Gaza are afraid of “facing death again” and fear that the food, water, and medical supplies delivered over the past six weeks may be the last. 

“Frankly, since the beginning of the war, they’ve been trying to starve us, and we fear the people will starve due to the lack of aid and food supplies,” Hisham Nagi told AJE. “People are afraid of the return of war and facing death again.”

The publication also reported that in one market, news of the aid cutoff led to prices doubling.

One resident told AJE that Palestinians are “stocking up on food supplies, and the market traders are exploiting us and are not merciful”, adding, “In the morning, the price of sugar was 5 shekels; now, it has risen to 10 shekels [$2.80].” 

On Sunday, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing unnamed Israeli officials, that Israel is giving Hamas only a few days to reach an agreement on the release of additional hostages, stating that it “won’t let it drag on indefinitely”. 

While the Trump administration has yet to publicly comment on Israel’s announcement or its decision to cut off aid, Haaretz also reported on Sunday that Israel is willing to extend the ceasefire for a few days. 

The report suggested that Israel was under pressure from the US, as well as fellow mediators Qatar and Egypt, to maximise negotiations with Hamas.  

According to the Israeli publication, Hamas has been informed of the details of the alleged US-led initiative and Israel’s stance.  

Israeli sources told Haaretz that if Hamas agrees to negotiate based on the new plan, talks could potentially begin to make progress. 

Israel’s announcement came just hours after Muslims in Gaza observed the first iftar of Ramadan, gathering around long tables for communal meals amid the ruins of war-ravaged buildings.