Israel's attorney general held up the government's plan to cut back on electricity to the Gaza Strip, demanding more work be done to prevent humanitarian harm.

Attorney General Meni Mazuz. AP PHOTO

Attorney General Meni Mazuz's decision Oct. 29 came after 10 human rights groups petitioned Israel's Supreme Court to stop the cutbacks, charging they are collective punishment.

On Oct. 28, Israel reduced fuel supplies to Gaza, but the planned electricity cuts are on hold.

In September, the Israeli government declared Gaza a "hostile entity" and approved the plan for cutoffs in an effort to halt the daily rocket barrages into southern Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave the final go-ahead for the sanctions Oct. 25.