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'Foolishness': Smotrich slams reported move to re-supply Gaza with electricity

2 July 2024 09:25 BST

Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich slammed a reported plan to re-supply the Gaza Strip with electricity, which Israel has cut off from the Palestinian enclave for nearly nine months.

Footage posted on social media on Tuesday showed the electricity company in Gaza fixing electricity poles in Deir al-Balah. 

The effort comes in preparation to supply water desalination and sewage treatment facilities, according to Israeli media. 

Smotrich urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop "this foolishness," warning that supplying Gaza with electricity could help rebuild hospitals, which he called "terrorist centres". 

Avigdor Lieberman, an opposition MP and former defence minister, also criticised the move and advocated for continued "complete disconnection" from Gaza. 

"No electricity, no water, no fuel and no goods," he said. 

As the occupying power in Gaza, Israel is obligated under International law to supply the population with their basic needs, including electricity.

Before the war, Gaza received most of its electricity from Israel. It also relied on fuel imports to operate power plants. 

However, Israeli authorities completely cut electricity supply to Gaza on 7 October. They've also severely limited the entry of fuel.