Israel has cut off the electricity supply to Gaza.

It comes after the supply of goods moving into Palestine was cut last week.

Israel has said cutting the electricity is in an attempt to make Hamas accept an extension of the ceasefire - while the militant group wants to move on to the more difficult second phase of the truce instead.

The Times of Israel's Diplomatic Correspondent Lazar Berman said Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to keep his options open at the minute.

“In the short term, they're trying to get another one or two hostage releases, get as many living hostages out as possible before they make a determination whether it's back to war or we can wrap up this phase of the conflict and start looking to the day after,” he said.

Palestinians sit at a large table surrounded by rubble on the first day of Ramadan in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 1, 2025 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Harris said cutting power - along with the continued blocking of humanitarian aid - will only add to the horrific humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

“We already know of the major humanitarian catastrophe that has taken hold in Gaza and it's so vital that we actually see a surge in humanitarian aid, and of course, the continuance of electricity,” he said.

“I want to see all hostages returned to their families, I absolutely do, I want to see the ceasefire hold and indeed move to the next phase.

“But it's absolutely imperative that humanitarian aid is allowed flow into Gaza and it's absolutely imperative that the electricity supply is not cut.”

Palestinian children inspect damage to Al-Aliya Kindergarten after it was bombed by Israel in Jabalia camp north of Gaza, 14-9-24. Image: SOPA Images Limited / Alamy

Action Aid Ireland CEO Karol Balfe said it's "disgraceful" that Gaza is back in this crisis.

“It was already a very dire situation after the 15 months of military attacks and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating,” she said.

“People desperately need food, they need shelter, they need fuel, they need medicines, they need sanitation products for water and there are tens of thousands of shelter equipment waiting at the border to get in.”

Palestinians walk through the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)