Arab world, aid groups slam Israel’s block on Gaza aid

The move is in response to what Netanyahu’s office called “Hamas’ refusal” to accept an outline for the resumption of truce talks presented by US President Donald Trump‘s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Aid groups slam Israel’s block on Gaza aid

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which included a surge in humanitarian assistance, expired on Saturday.

The two sides disagree about the next steps in the truce. Israel wants more hostages to be released under an extension of the first phase. But Hamas is pushing for the start of the second phase that would pave the way for a permanent end to the war.

Hamas said Israel was trying to disrupt the ceasefire and described the halt of aid to Gaza as a “war crime.”

Netanyahu’s office warned of “further consequences” if Hamas continues its refusal of what Israel says is a US proposal for the ceasefire extension.

Israel halts humanitarian aid to Gaza

What did Arab countries say about the blockade of Gaza?

Egypt, which helped broker the ceasefire, accused Israel of a “flagrant violation” of the truce agreement. The Egyptian foreign ministry said Israel was using starvation as “a weapon against the Palestinian people.”

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry dubbed Israel’s decision “blackmail” and “collective punishment”, also urging the international community to “stop these serious Israeli violations.”

The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 is considered by some observers to have been an attempt to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s plan to begin friendly relations with Israel. Israel’s eastern neighbor Jordan also condemned the blocking of aid.

Aid agencies cry foul

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s decision “alarming,” noting that access must remain under international humanitarian law.

Medical charity MSF accused Israel of using aid as a bargaining chip, labeling the move “unacceptable” and “outrageous.” joining a unanimous cry from aid groups slam Israel’s block on Gaza.

UNICEF spokesperson Rosalia Bollen told BBC News that blocking aid would be “devastating” for Gaza residents.

Bollen said although the scaling up of essential supplies, since the first phase of the truce took effect, had “brought immediate relief and has likely saved many lives, it’s by far insufficient.”

Israel agrees to ceasefire extension, Hamas pushes for phase two

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu’s office had announced it had agreed to extend the ceasefire, just hours after it expired. It was due to be extended for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover.

Ramadan started this weekend and continues through March 30. The Jewish festival of Passover begins on the evening of April 12 and ends on the evening of April 20.

Witkoff proposed extending the current ceasefire after realizing more time was needed for talks on a permanent ceasefire, according to the statement from Netanyahu’s office.

Hamas told the AFP news agency on Sunday that it insists on the implementation of a second ceasefire phase.

“The only way to achieve stability in the region and the return of the prisoners is to complete the implementation of the agreement… starting with the implementation of the second phase,” Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi said in a statement given to AFP.

Under the original agreement, the second phase was intended to see the start of negotiations over the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a final end to the war.

Under the terms of the January ceasefire deal, fighting should not resume while negotiations are underway on phase two. Israel’s new statement, however, says it can return to fighting “if it believes that the negotiations are ineffective.”

First phase of ceasefire ended 15 months of fighting

The ceasefire agreement reached in January halted 15 months of fighting, allowing the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais.

In exchange, around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israel were also released. The first phase was meant to lead to subsequent talks to build on the ceasefire deal.

Talks about a permanent ceasefire have been ongoing but have not led to an agreement. Netanyahu’s office said Israel would immediately conduct negotiations on Witkoff’s plan if Hamas agreed to it. Israel and several other countries designate Hamas a terrorist organization.

“According to the agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it feels that the negotiations are ineffective,” Netanyahu’s office also said, accusing Hamas of violating the deal.

Both sides have been trading accusations of violating the deal.