The Israeli government announced on Sunday that it would cease all entry of humanitarian aid and goods into the Gaza Strip. This move follows Hamas’s rejection of Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase of a fragile ceasefire agreement, which has been in place since January.
The decision to block aid is a significant shift in the situation and could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have suffered from the effects of months of conflict.
The ceasefire, which began in January, was initially set to last for six weeks and was intended to lead to a permanent end to the war. However, the first phase expired on Saturday, and talks to extend it further have been stalled. According to a statement released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel decided to halt the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza, following Hamas’s refusal to accept Israel’s proposed extension.
“If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences,” the statement said, without elaborating on the nature of the potential consequences.
The proposal put forward by Israeli authorities was brokered by U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. It suggested extending the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, with a focus on humanitarian aid and the exchange of hostages. Under the terms of the proposal, half of the remaining hostages, including those who have died, would be released on day one, with the remainder freed upon successful negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire.
However, Hamas rejected this offer, insisting that the ceasefire talks should move to the second phase. This phase would involve the release of additional hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a permanent halt to the conflict. Hamas argues that Israel’s refusal to move forward with the second phase is an attempt to avoid fulfilling its part of the agreement.
In response to Israel’s decision, Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, accused the Israeli government of “sabotaging” the ceasefire agreement that both parties had signed in January. He called Israel’s actions a “blatant coup against the ceasefire deal” and warned that Israel bore full responsibility for the escalation of violence, saying, “Israel is responsible for the lives of the people on both sides.”
Naim further accused Israel of committing “a war crime in itself” by halting the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He appealed to the international community, urging countries to pressure Israel to return to the terms of the ceasefire agreement. According to Hamas, Israel’s actions were part of a wider strategy to destabilize the region further and deny basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine to the people of Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been a point of contention for months. Since the ceasefire began, the United Nations (UN) has reported that more than 10,000 aid trucks, carrying food, medicine, and tents, have entered Gaza. These supplies have been essential for the survival of the 2.2 million people living in the region, many of whom have been displaced by the ongoing conflict. The first phase of the ceasefire saw a halt in active fighting and an exchange of hostages, including 33 Israelis and five Thai nationals, in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Despite the influx of aid, Gaza remains in dire need of support. In a statement issued on Sunday, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher stressed the importance of continuing humanitarian efforts, saying that more assistance was needed to prevent further suffering.
The decision to stop the flow of aid came after a meeting between Netanyahu and his security officials. Netanyahu reportedly adopted a proposal to extend the ceasefire through the holy periods of Ramadan and Passover, but only on the condition that Hamas agreed to the terms. The ceasefire, which had already allowed for some humanitarian relief, was seen as fragile and under threat.
Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid has found support from far-right lawmakers within the country. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent far-right figure, praised the decision, calling it an “important step in the right direction” and referring to it as the “threshold of the gates of hell.” Smotrich’s statement reflects the hardline stance of some Israeli politicians, who view the conflict as an existential struggle and advocate for a more aggressive military approach.
His comments suggest a growing divide between those seeking a negotiated peace and those who support an all-out military solution to the conflict, with little regard for the humanitarian implications.
While Israeli officials have defended their actions, many in the international community have expressed concern. The U.S. has played a key role in the diplomatic efforts, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio signing an emergency declaration to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel. This decision reverses a partial arms embargo imposed by the Biden administration, signalling strong U.S. support for Israel’s military actions.
However, the international response to Israel’s decision to halt aid has been largely critical. Human rights organizations and global leaders have condemned the move, with many calling for Israel to respect its commitments under the ceasefire and ensure that the people of Gaza continue to receive much-needed aid. The international community has expressed concern over the impact of halting humanitarian aid, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
