Israel has suspended all humanitarian aid to Gaza following the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The decision, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, follows Hamas's refusal to accept proposed terms to extend the agreement supported by the United States. The ceasefire, which was established to facilitate exchanges of hostages and prisoners, has drawn widespread concern due to its impact on the already dire humanitarian situation.
According to the Israeli government, the proposal, associated with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, aimed to allow the release of half of the remaining hostages held by Hamas as part of the negotiations for extending the ceasefire. The move was met with skepticism by Hamas, which accused Israel of trying to manipulate the situation and evade negotiations for the next phase of the agreement.
“With the finalization of phase one of the agreement and Hamas’s refusal to accept the framework proposed by Witkoff, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided this morning to cease all entry of goods and supplies to Gaza,” read the official statement. The conflict, which has lasted nearly 17 months, has resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 people, with many of Gaza's residents facing crippling living conditions.
Omer Dostri, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office, clarified: “No trucks entered Gaza this morning, nor will they at this time.” Reports indicate numerous trucks waiting at the border were turned away and are now stranded.
The first phase of the ceasefire was intended to facilitate the release of hostages alongside the continuous flow of aid to Gaza. Israeli officials noted over 24 hostages were still alive, indicating the urgency of the situation. Hamas, on the other hand, has insisted on moving to the next phase of negotiations without any delay, where they seek discussions for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Mahmoud Mardawi, Hamas leader, stated, “The only path to regional stability and the return of the prisoners is through the full implementation of the agreement starting with the second phase.” The group argued Israel’s position constitutes dangerous escalation and could have dire consequences for the peace process.
Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, condemned Israel's decision to halt humanitarian aid, marking it as “a dangerous escalation.” He highlighted the pressing humanitarian crisis affecting civilians, who are struggling daily under extreme conditions exacerbated by the conflict.
Following the end of the first phase on Saturday, negotiations broke down when the Israeli negotiating team abruptly left Cairo after failing to agree with mediators from Egypt and Qatar on the terms for the second phase. While both sides had significant expectations for the continued negotiations, the lack of agreement has raised fears of renewed hostilities.
A statement from the Prime Minister's office warned, “Israel will not tolerate any violations of the ceasefire, and if Hamas continues to refuse the proposals, there will be more consequences.”
The humanitarian situation has become increasingly severe, with many Gazans lacking adequate shelter, clean water, and food, raising alarms over the potential for widespread famine. UN assessments have pointed out extensive destruction of homes and infrastructure across Gaza, resulting from the conflict. Reports indicate over 60% of homes and roads are destroyed.
Hamas reacted sharply, claiming the halt of aid is tantamount to “war crimes” and has accused Israel of obstructing the humanitarian efforts required to assist the beleaguered population. They maintain the importance of continuing aid flows until negotiations for the next phase are successfully concluded.
Despite various US attempts to mediate and prolong negotiations, the division between the two parties remains stark. Israel has reiterated its stance linking any renewal of talks to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The office of the Prime Minister also indicated support for the Witkoff proposal to extend the current phase through Ramadan and Passover, which would mean maintaining humanitarian aid and facilitating the release of more hostages. Yet the chances of reconciling differing views of what each phase entails currently seem slim.
With the ceasefire effectively at risk, fears are mounting. What started as agreements for potentially life-saving exchanges has now transformed back to threats and military demands. The humanitarian crisis persists, and the conditions for millions of Gazans grow more desperate by the day.
During this period of uncertainty, human rights organizations have expressed concerns over the pressures on both Hamas and Israel to conform to new conditions set forth externally, calling for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of civilians trapped in conflict.
The complexity of this political situation continues to present challenges not only for those involved but also extends to international relations, making it ever more imperative for leaders on all sides to find pathways to dialogue rather than conflict.
For now, as negotiations stall and humanitarian aid is suspended, calling for immediate attention, Gaza's future hangs precariously.