Main Events from March 9th
- Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen ordered an immediate halt to the transfer of electricity to the Gaza Strip, in a move widely seen as an attempt to pressure Hamas to accept an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
- Hamas condemned Israel’s move, which threatens Gaza’s only destination plant, calling it “cheap and unacceptable blackmail” and a violation of international law.
- Israel is set to send negotiators to the Qatari capital, Doha, on Monday to resume talks on the captive exchange and ceasefire deal.
- Israeli forces carried out a drone attack on Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood, killing at least two Palestinians.
- US President Donald Trump’s envoy on captives, Adam Boehler, said face-to-face meetings with Hamas on the release of Israelis have been “very helpful” and that Hamas has suggested a five- to 10-year truce in which it “would lay down all weapons”.
- US immigration authorities arrested a graduate student who played a prominent role in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at New York’s Columbia University, and said his permanent residency in the country would be revoked, according to his lawyer.
UK MP says Israel’s cutting off electricity, aid is ‘collective punishment’
Apsana Begum has raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, slamming Israel’s announcement to withdraw electricity, as well as the lack of aid entering the coastal enclave.
“Let me be clear: this amounts to collective punishment,” the member of parliament said in a post on X, urging the UK government to take a firm stance against Israel’s actions.
Palestinians in Gaza are already without adequate levels of aid as Israel threatens to withdraw electricity & water, once again.
Let me be clear: this amounts to collective punishment.
Our Govt must not hesitate to condemn these threats & actions, from its staunch & close ally.
— Apsana Begum MP (@ApsanaBegumMP) March 9, 2025
Ireland’s deputy PM condemns blockade of aid, electricity in Gaza
Simon Harris – who served as the Republic of Ireland’s prime minister until January – has voiced deep concern over Israel’s continued blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the cutting of electricity, warning that such actions will only worsen the already “horrific” humanitarian crisis.
“This is a very worrying and concerning development,” Harris stated on social media. “Hostages must be released, aid must flow, and electricity supply is vital for any civilian population.”
