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Israel stopped the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip on Sunday and warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t accept a new proposal to extend a fragile ceasefire. Israel’s decision to cut off aid was condemned by Egypt, which accused Israel of using “starvation as a weapon.”
Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the existing ceasefire agreement and said its decision to cut off aid was “cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack” on the truce, which took hold in January after more than a year of negotiations.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which included a surge in humanitarian assistance, expired on Saturday. The two sides have yet to negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas was to release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout and a lasting ceasefire.
Egypt, which has served as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, called for the immediate implementation of Phase 2 of the existing ceasefire agreement, warning that Israel’s closure of the borders would have “humanitarian consequences” for the people of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that under the existing agreements, Israel could resume fighting after the first phase if it believed negotiations were ineffective, telling his Cabinet that “there will be no free lunches.” He also said Israel was “fully coordinated” with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Hundreds of aid trucks have entered Gaza daily since the ceasefire began on January 19. But residents said prices doubled on Sunday as word of the closure spread and people raced to stock up, with one resident saying, “Everyone is worried. This is not a life.”
Fayza Nassar, a woman living in the heavily destroyed urban Jabaliya refugee camp, said the closure would exacerbate already dire living conditions, predicting “famine and chaos.” “Closing the crossings is a heinous crime,” she said.
Under the new proposal, which came from US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas would release half the remaining hostages on the first day and the rest when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, Netanyahu said.
Hamas warned that any attempt to delay or cancel the ceasefire agreement would have “humanitarian consequences” for the hostages and reiterated that the only way to free them was through implementing the existing deal, which did not specify a timeline for freeing the remaining captives.
A senior Egyptian official said mediators were trying to resolve the dispute, adding that Egypt and Gaza would not accept a new proposal aimed at returning the remaining hostages without ending the conflict.
The ceasefire has been marred by repeated disputes, with each side accusing the other of violations. Under the first, six-week phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli forces pulled back from most of Gaza and Israel allowed a surge of humanitarian aid to enter.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the closure of borders and suspension of aid threatening the lives of millions of Palestinians. The international community must come together to pressure Israel and Hamas to reach a lasting ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current situation in Gaza?
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the closure of borders and suspension of aid threatening the lives of millions of Palestinians. - What is Israel’s position on the ceasefire?
Israel has stopped the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip and warned of "additional consequences" if Hamas doesn’t accept a new proposal to extend a fragile ceasefire. - What is Hamas’s position on the ceasefire?
Hamas has accused Israel of trying to derail the existing ceasefire agreement and said its decision to cut off aid is "cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack" on the truce. - What is the current humanitarian situation in Gaza?
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with millions of people dependent on international aid for food and other essentials. The closure of borders and suspension of aid will exacerbate this situation.
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