No electricity, water or fuel until Israeli abductees return home: Israel warns Gaza

As the Israel-Hamas war entered its sixth day, the Israeli Energy Minister said Thursday that until all those taken captive by Hamas were released, his country would not provide any basic resources, including electricity and fuel, or humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said: “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home.”

סיוע הומניטרי לעזה? אף מתג חשמל לא יורם, שיבר מים לא יפתח ומשאית דלק לא תיכנס עד להשבת החטופים הישראלים הביתה. הומניטרי תמורת הומניטרי. ושאף אחד לא יטיף לנו מוסר.

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) October 12, 2023

“Humanitarianism for humanitarianism. And no one can preach morality to us,” he added.

The fate of an estimated 150 people abducted and taken to the Gaza Strip during the attack by Hamas is still unclear.

However, as per the latest figures, at least 150 Israelis, foreigners and dual nationals were abducted to the Gaza Strip by Hamas terrorists as part of the Saturday attack that killed more than 1,300 people and injured 3,300 in Israeli towns and communities around the enclave.

Israel has in turn launched a withering air campaign against Hamas militants in the blockaded Gaza Strip, killing around 1,200 people.

In recent days Israel announced a "complete seige" on Gaza, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies.

On Wednesday, the Palestinian territory's sole power plant shut down on Wednesday after running out of fuel.

With inputs from agencies