The U.N. is concerned about the "serious consequences" for the civilian population in Gaza following Israel's halt of electricity distribution in the Palestinian territory, which has already been deprived of fuel deliveries for over a week.

Israel's decision "is very concerning. Without electricity and with fuel blocked, the last water desalination plants, health facilities and bakeries in Gaza risk shutting down, with serious consequences for civilians," noted a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in an email to AFP. The spokesperson, Seif Magango, said that as an occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to meet the needs of the populations of the territories it controls. Additionally, blocking access to aid "with the aim of pressuring a party in an armed conflict by imposing hardships on the entire civilian population raises serious concerns about the notion of collective punishment," writes Magango.

Israel cut the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip on Sunday to increase pressure on Hamas and disconnected the sole power line supplying a water desalination plant. It has also prevented any humanitarian aid from entering the narrow Palestinian territory, home to more than two million people living in very precarious conditions, for over a week. An Israeli delegation is expected on Monday in Doha for indirect negotiations on the continuation of the fragile cease-fire in the Gaza Strip with Hamas.