ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday criticized Israel for cutting off Gaza’s power supply and blocking aid to the densely populated area, warning the “repressive measures” would endanger the lives of millions of Palestinians.
Israeli officials confirmed on Sunday that the Jewish state had cut off electricity supply to Gaza, with its move affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory. Hamas sharply reacted to the move, calling it part of Israel’s “starvation policy.”
The move came at the back of Israel’s decision to suspend supplies of goods to the territory last week. Israel is pressing Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase of their ceasefire, which ended earlier this month. Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s latest suspension of humanitarian aid, including food and medicines from entering Palestinian Territories and cutting off power supply that threatens to limit water supplies in the area,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
“Such repressive measures during the holy month of Ramadan are highly condemnable as they endanger the lives of millions of innocent Palestinians including women and children.”
The desalination plant affected by Israel’s suspension of power supply was providing 18,000 cubic meters of water per day for central Gaza’s Deir Al-Balah area, according to Gisha, an Israeli organization dedicated to protecting Palestinians’ right to freedom of movement.
Israel’s war on Gaza, which began from Oct. 7, 2023, and lasted till the uneasy ceasefire was brokered in January 2025, caused the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians during the 15-month period. Pakistan is among several countries who have raised concerns that the recent escalating tensions may lead to resumption of armed hostilities between Hamas and Israel.
Hamas wants to start negotiations on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase, which would see the release of remaining hostages from Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a lasting peace. Hamas is believed to have 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, has repeatedly called for the United Nations to ensure implementation of its resolutions affirming the two-state solution in the Middle East. It demands an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al- Sharif as its capital.
