Israel will not supply water, fuel to Gaza until hostages freed: energy minister

Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz vowed on Thursday not to allow basic resources or humanitarian aid into Gaza until Hamas released the people it captured during its surprise weekend attack.

"Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home," he said in a statement.

Around 150 Israelis, foreigners and dual nationals were abducted to the Gaza Strip by Hamas militants as part of the Saturday attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israeli towns around the enclave.

Israel has in turn launched a ferocious and indiscriminate air campaign against the besieged Gaza Strip, flattening entire districts and killing around 1,200 people.

In recent days Israel announced a "complete seige" on Gaza, cutting off water, fuel and electricity supplies. The Palestinian territory's sole power plant shut down on Wednesday after running out of fuel.