Israel has cut off the electricity supply to Gaza. The move has affected a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.

Israel ordered an immediate halt to Gaza's electricity supply Sunday in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, even as it prepared for fresh talks on the future of its truce with the Palestinian militants.

An Israeli delegation will travel to the Gulf state of Qatar on Monday to hold talks on the continuation of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as Israel's electricity minister announced he was cutting deliveries to the enclave.