Israel Stops All Humanitarian Aid To Gaza As Ceasefire Deal Stalls
The move comes amid stalled negotiations over a second phase, which was intended to secure further hostage releases and Israeli military withdrawal.
Israel has halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza following the expiration of the first phase of its ceasefire with Hamas.
The move comes amid stalled negotiations over a second phase, which was intended to secure further hostage releases and Israeli military withdrawal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Hamas had refused to accept a temporary extension proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff, BBC reports.
The Israeli leader warned that continued refusal would lead to “further consequences.”
A Hamas spokesman condemned Israel’s action as “cheap blackmail” and a “coup” on the ceasefire agreement, urging mediators to pressure Israel into resuming aid supplies.
The group insists that phase two of the deal must proceed as originally negotiated, including the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
On Friday night, Hamas announced it would not agree to an extension without guarantees from US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators that phase two would take place.
Netanyahu’s office responded with a statement declaring: “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,” the statement added.
Hamas accused Netanyahu of using humanitarian aid as a bargaining tool, with a spokesman stating: “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 Saturday night, Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel had accepted a US proposal to extend the ceasefire for about six weeks, coinciding with the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover periods.
However, Israel reserves the right to resume military operations if negotiations fail by the end of this period.
Steve Witkoff has not publicly disclosed the details of his proposal, but Israeli officials claim it would begin with the release of half of the remaining living and dead hostages.
Netanyahu’s office affirmed that Israel is open to immediate negotiations if Hamas agrees to the extension.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, ended on Saturday, pausing 15 months of conflict. It facilitated the release of 33 Israeli and five Thai hostages in exchange for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
However, talks on phase two—centered on the release of all remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces—have made little progress.
The war began when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched an intense air and ground campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in at least 48,365 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
