Gaza Strip: Humanitarian aid is now ended - water and electricity are next

Ministers present at a government meeting today (Sunday) gained the impression that following the cessation of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, the cutting off of water and electricity supply to the Strip will come next if Hamas does not agree to Israeli demands, according to Ynet.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained his decision to end humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as follows: "There will be no free meals. If Hamas thinks that it will be possible to continue the ceasefire, or to enjoy the conditions of phase one, without us receiving hostages - they are greatly mistaken."

Getting to the matter of humanitarian aid specifically, Netanyahu said that "Hamas is currently taking control of all supplies and goods sent to the Gaza Strip. They are abusing the Gazan population who try to receive the aid, shooting at them, and turning humanitarian aid into a terror budget directed against us. We will not agree to this under any circumstances."

Al-Jazeera reports that prior to the decision to end humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, "Israel demanded that Hamas release living hostages and bodies in the last 48 hours, in an attempt to extend Phase 1 of the deal and as preparation for Phase 2." However, "Hamas sees these demands as a violation of the agreement - and is committed to implementing what was agreed upon in the original deal."

Meanwhile, incoming IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited Southern Command today, where he reviewed and critiqued existing plans for offensive operations, should war resume. Zamir said that plans need to be redrafted to meet the standards of "victory" and "destroying the enemy," which he felt were insufficiently addressed in plans drawn up under his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi.