By Ori Lewis
It is the latest Israeli step to increase pressure on Gaza, ruled by the Hamas Islamists since June, and follows Hamas's claim of responsibility for Monday's suicide bombing in southern Israel, the first claimed by the group since 2004.
Shlomo Dror, spokesman for Defence Minister Ehud Barak, said Israel trimmed the flow of electricity overnight by 5 percent on one of 10 high-power lines. The reduction amounted to less than 1 percent of the 124 megawatts that Israel supplies to Gaza.
Dror said additional reductions could be made after further evaluation.
Israel temporarily halted fuel deliveries to Gaza's main power plant last month but quickly restored supplies after facing international criticism for blackouts in Gaza City.
ELECTRICITY REDUCTIONS
Israel, which occupied the Gaza Strip in 1967, pulled troops and settlers out in 2005 but still controls its northern and eastern borders, airspace and coastal waters.
U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said he was not familiar with the Israeli decision.
After Hamas blasted open Gaza's border with Egypt last month in defiance of an Israeli blockade, Vilnai suggested that Israel should wash its hands of Gaza altogether by handing over the supply of electricity, water and medicine to others.
Egypt re-sealed the border with Gaza, which Israel considers an "enemy entity", on Sunday.
