“Iron Curtain” For Gaza. Israel Blocks Electricity And Water Supplies

In an armed conflict, energy and water resources also become weapons. Israel has announced a “total blockade” of the Gaza Strip. While the column of Israeli tanks reached the border with the Gaza Strip, which became the first step of the ground operation against Hamas, the Tel Aviv government ordered a complete blackout of the territory.

“I have ordered a complete and immediate shutdown of water supplies to the Gaza Strip. The supply of electricity and fuel was interrupted two days ago,” Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz told the Times of Israel newspaper.

The power outage will be followed by a military operation. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant ordered a “total siege” of the Gaza Strip. “I ordered a complete blockade: there will be no electricity, no food, no gasoline. Everything is closed,” Galant said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that “Israel’s response to the Hamas attack will change the Middle East.”

Meanwhile, the new death toll in Israel has crossed the threshold of 1,000 people, with 750 missing. Visiting the Israeli rave party in the desert has reportedly killed at least 260 people. Hamas holds one hundred hostages, including soldiers and officers of the Israeli army. Gaza’s health ministry reported more than 530 casualties on Monday. Washington and London announced the killing of 9 US citizens and 10 British citizens in Israel. According to the UN, more than 123,000 people have fled the Gaza Strip, fearing an imminent military operation by Israel.

Tel Aviv hopes it won’t have to fight on two fronts. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said he had received assurances from Hezbollah leaders that the pro-Iranian armed party would not interfere in the conflict: “Hezbollah promised us that it does not intend to interfere in the war in the Gaza Strip if Israel does not undertake any aggression against Lebanon,” Bou Habib said. Egypt, where two Israeli tourists were killed on Sunday, has attempted mediation, proposing that Israel and Hamas agree to an immediate ceasefire.