Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

The decision was made by Energy Minister Eli Cohen, one week after Israel blockaded all humanitarian aid shipments from outside to the Gaza Strip to put pressure on Hamas. Israel will employ all the tools available to get its hostages returned and ensure that Hamas won’t be in Gaza on the day after, said Cohen in a short video statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last weekend that Israel would not rule out the possibility of cutting off Gaza’s power if Hamas did not accept the conditions set by Israel on releasing the hostages and ending the fighting.