Israel to Hamas: Give us back the hostages so that Gaza can have water, electricity and fuel

Israel is proceeding with a complete cut-off of electricity, water, and fuel supplies in Gaza until Hamas releases the Israeli hostages it has been holding since Saturday’s invasion. This was stated by the Israeli government’s Energy Minister and former Finance Minister, Israel Katz in a Twitter post.

“Do you want humanitarian aid in Gaza? No electrical switch will be turned on, no water tap will be turned on and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli kidnapped people return to their homes,” the Israeli minister made clear, adding in a stern tone: “We will respond with humanitarianism to humanitarianism. And no one will teach us morality.”

The Palestinian group Hamas announced late Wednesday night that it had released three hostages: a woman and her two children. “An Israeli settler and her two children, who were captured during the clashes, were released,” a statement from the armed wing of Hamas said.

The French News Agency (AFP) stressed that the Israeli army did not confirm the information.

In a video broadcast by the Palestinian TV network Al Aqsa, a woman and two children can be seen being escorted by three Hamas members to a fenced area (apparently the Gaza border fence) during the day.