Tel Aviv, March 9 -- Israel's Energy Minister Eli Cohen on Sunday directed the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) to immediately cut off the electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, in an apparent attempt to put pressure on the enclave, where around 24 hostages are still presumed to be alive, while the bodies of 35 more, are still held, The Times of Israel reported.

In a short video statement, Cohen said, "We will employ all the tools available to us so that all the hostages will return, and we will ensure that Hamas won't be in Gaza on the 'day after'."

Cohen's office circulated a letter sent to the IEC directing it to stop selling electricity to power stations in Gaza.

Speaking to The Times of Israel, an Israeli official said that Cohen'...