Jerusalem, Undefined:Israel ordered an immediate halt to Gaza’s electricity supply Sunday in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, even as it prepared for fresh talks on the future of its truce with the Palestinian militants.Israel’s decision comes a week after it blocked all aid supplies to the war-battered territory, a move reminiscent of the initial days of the war when Israel announced a “siege” on Gaza. Hamas described the electricity cut as “blackmail,” a term it had also used after Israel blocked the aid.
The truce’s initial phase ended on March 1 and both sides have refrained from returning to all-out war, despite sporadic violence including an air strike Sunday that Israel said targeted militants.
Hamas has repeatedly called for an immediate start to negotiations on the ceasefire’s second phase, aiming to end the war permanently
