Israel has cut off its supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip as negotiations to extend a ceasefire-hostage deal continue.
It comes after the U.S. proposal to extend phase one of the existing ceasefire agreement was rejected by Hamas.
On Monday, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced power would be cut off to Gaza “so that all hostages are returned”.
A Hamas spokesperson described the move as a “blackmail” tactic.
Mediators are currently meeting to advance negotiations between the two parties.
Ceasefire
Following 15 months of war, a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel came into effect on 19 January.
The U.S.-led agreement was intended to have three phases.
The first phase required Hamas to release 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults, and the bodies of hostages who had died in captivity.
In exchange, Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Phase one concluded on 1 March.
The U.S. proposed extending phase one, which would have seen all remaining hostages released by mid-April. Approximately 59 hostages are estimated to still be held in Gaza, many of whom are presumed dead.
Hamas rejected the terms of the agreement. Israel retaliated by cutting off aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages.”
Power
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On Monday, Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen posted to social media saying he had “signed an order to cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip immediately”.
Before the war, Israel supplied about 50% of Gaza’s electricity. A power plant inside the Strip also relied on fuel bought from Israel.
On Monday, Israel’s state-owned energy corporation confirmed it had cut off supply to a wastewater treatment plant. The UN has suggested the destruction of water treatment plants before the ceasefire contributed to Gaza’s first outbreak of polio in 25 years.
Response
A Hamas spokesperson said the move by Israel was part of a “cheap and unacceptable blackmail tactic.”
The spokesperson also described it as a “waste of time”.
Last week, the United Nations Human Rights office said: “Any denial of the entry of the necessities of life for civilians may amount to collective punishment.
“The use of hunger and starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime.”
Talks abroad
Meanwhile, Israel is sending officials to Qatar to “advance” negotiations on the future of the ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed to media there would be a delegation to discuss expanding the ceasefire deal.
Separately, Hamas delegates held talks with authorities in neighbouring Egypt.
A Hamas spokesperson has told media there were “positive indicators” about advancing the second phase of a ceasefire-hostage deal.
