Israel halts entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza

Israel has halted the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza, insisting that Hamas must agree to a ceasefire extension proposed by the United States. 

The first phase of the ceasefire expired on Saturday, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Hamas had rejected a temporary extension under a proposal by US envoy Steve Witkoff.

A Hamas spokesman condemned the move, calling it “cheap blackmail” and a “coup” on the ceasefire agreement while urging mediators to intervene. The Palestinian group has insisted that phase two of the ceasefire deal, which includes the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners along with the withdrawal of Israeli forces, should proceed as originally negotiated.

According to the BBC, Netanyahu’s office justified the blockade, stating: “With the end of Phase 1 of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the Witkoff outline for continuing talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease. Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences.”

Hamas responded sharply, with a spokesman saying: “Netanyahu’s decision to stop aid going into Gaza once again shows the ugly face of the Israeli occupation… The international community must apply pressure on the Israeli government to stop starving our people.”

Late on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel had accepted a US proposal to extend the ceasefire for six weeks during the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover periods. 

Under the proposal, which has not been made public, half of the remaining hostages, both living and dead, would be released as an initial step. However, Netanyahu’s office warned that if negotiations stalled at the end of the extension, Israel reserved the right to resume military operations.

Aid agencies confirmed that no humanitarian aid had entered Gaza on Sunday morning. Antoine Renard from the World Food Programme (WFP) emphasised the urgency of resuming aid, telling the BBC: “Humanitarian assistance has to continue to flow into Gaza. It’s very essential. And we are calling all parties to make sure that they reach a solution.”

Since the ceasefire began in mid-January, thousands of aid trucks have been entering Gaza weekly, and agencies have stockpiled supplies, preventing an immediate crisis. 

However, Egypt, one of the key mediators, called for the full implementation of the ceasefire deal and announced plans to present a Gaza reconstruction proposal at an emergency Arab summit on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Hamas releases final living hostages under first phase of Gaza ceasefire 

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed four people in Gaza, according to medics. The Israeli military claimed it targeted individuals planting an explosive device in the north of the territory.

The ceasefire, which began on 19 January, temporarily ended 15 months of fighting between Hamas and Israel, facilitating the release of 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. 

However, discussions over the second phase of the ceasefire including the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces have made little progress.

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