Egypt condemns Israel’s electricity cut to Gaza, calling it collective punishment and urging international intervention. Israeli officials report a full halt to power supply, exacerbating humanitarian crises. President Al-Sisi reaffirms support for Palestinians, while UNICEF warns of severe water shortages; fatalities in Gaza continue to rise.
Egypt has lodged a strong condemnation against Israel’s decision to cut electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip, decrying it as a manifestation of Israel’s collective punishment policies, which Egypt firmly rejects. The Egyptian government has urged the international community to intervene decisively to halt violations of international humanitarian law.
In a formal statement released on Tuesday, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs articulated its disapproval of Israel’s cessation of power to Gaza, classifying the act as a blatant infringement of international humanitarian regulations. This statement also highlighted Egypt’s relentless opposition to Israel’s policies, especially the suspension of humanitarian aid, which has worsened the precarious conditions in Gaza.
On Sunday, reports from Israel’s official Broadcasting Authority indicated that Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, mandated an immediate termination of electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip. This move further escalates tensions in the region.
In a display of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the Palestinians, declaring that displacement of the Palestinian people is intolerable. He remarked, “We salute the resilience of the Palestinian people and reaffirm our support for them in their ongoing struggle for survival and dignity.” Al-Sisi emphasized that the path to resolution lies in the establishment of a Palestinian state and the prevention of displacement under any circumstances.
According to a European Union foreign policy official, approximately 3,500 individuals have crossed into Egypt from Gaza through the Rafah crossing as of Tuesday. This highlights ongoing human movement between the two territories amid the crisis.
In response to the humanitarian plight in Gaza, Hazem Qassem, spokesperson for Hamas, alerted that the ongoing blockade has led to famine-like conditions, as no food supplies have entered for ten consecutive days. He appealed to the Arab League to enact measures from the recent summit aimed at alleviating the siege on Gaza and mitigating the suffering of its residents.
UNICEF has issued a critical warning regarding water shortages in Gaza, noting that merely one in ten residents has access to safe drinking water. Official Rosalia Poulin shared that, while 600,000 people had regained access to drinking water in November 2024, that access has been rescinded once more.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that in the last 24 hours, 36 individuals—32 previously unreported and four new fatalities—have succumbed to injuries, raising the total death toll from the ongoing conflict to 48,503 and resulting in 111,927 injuries since October 7, 2023.
The Egyptian government’s condemnation of Israel’s electricity cut to Gaza reflects a broader call for action against violations of international humanitarian law. With humanitarian conditions deteriorating and escalating fatalities, international intervention is increasingly necessary. Both Egypt and various humanitarian organizations stress the urgent need for sustained support and aid to alleviate the crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the establishment of a Palestinian state as a long-term resolution.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
