"Israel" announces complete electricity cutoff to Gaza in new escalation

The "Israeli" government has announced an immediate halt to the flow of electricity to the Gaza Strip, as confirmed by "Israeli" Energy Minister Eli Cohen in a statement on Sunday.

"I just signed an order for the immediate halt of electricity to the Gaza Strip," Cohen declared.

He further emphasized that "Israel" would use all available measures to secure the return of captives, adding that the country aims to ensure that Hamas will no longer operate in Gaza "for the day after."

Read more: Hamas issues statement on developments related to ceasefire agreement

This announcement comes amid ongoing mediated talks surrounding a ceasefire and captives deal, with Hamas pushing for the immediate initiation of talks for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal—something "Israel" opposes.

"Israel's" position is to extend the first phase of the deal to continue the exchange of captives, but without any commitment to a permanent halt of hostilities.

Last week, "Israel" imposed a blockade on all aid to Gaza, seeking to pressure Hamas to accept new terms for extending the ceasefire agreement.

A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss the terms of the deal and to advocate for a potential second phase. Meanwhile, "Israel" accepted an invitation from US-backed mediators to send an "Israeli" delegation to Doha on Monday to further advance negotiations.