As part of its 2005 disengagement plan, Israel retained exclusive control over Gaza's airspace and territorial waters, continued to patrol and monitor the external land perimeter of the Gaza Strip, with the exception of its southernmost border (where Egypt retained control of the border and border crossings were supervised by European monitors) and continued to monitor and blockade Gaza's coastline. Israel largely provides and controls Gaza's water supply, electricity and communications infrastructure.Israel threatens to cut Gaza power, water over rockets ABC Australia, 4 September 2007Lieberman: Israel planning to improve Gaza's water and electricity infrastructure Haaretz, 18 July 2010 According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Israel remains an occupying power under international law.Israel: 'Disengagement' Will Not End Gaza Occupation" Human Rights Watch, 29 October 2004 The United Nations has stated that under resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, it regards Gaza to be part of the "Occupied Palestinian Territories". Meanwhile, the Fatah government in the West Bank, internationally recognized as the sole representative of the State of Palestine, refers to the Gaza Strip as part of the Palestinian state and does not recognize the Hamas government.
