A Palestinian family sit on the rubble of their house as they break their fast in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on March 10, 2025, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. Photo: AFP
Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Tuesday condemned Israel's decision to cut electricity supplies to the Gaza Strip, urging the international community to take action.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry expressed "condemnation in the strongest terms of the Israeli occupation authorities' use of collective punishment against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by cutting off electricity to the area".

A Qatari statement said the wealthy Gulf state "strongly condemns the Israeli occupation's act of cutting electricity to the Gaza Strip, considering it a blatant violation of international humanitarian law".

On Sunday, Israel disconnected the only power line to a water desalination plant in Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing its remaining hostages held since the unprecedented attack of October 7, 2023.

The United Nations warned of "dire consequences" for Gaza's beleaguered population, while Britain said it was "deeply concerned".

Saudi Arabia called on the international community to "take urgent actions immediately", while Qatar also urged "immediate action to provide the necessary protection for the Palestinian people".