Israel announced on Sunday that it would suspend the entry of supplies into the Gaza Strip, coinciding with reports of new deadly attacks in the territory. This development follows a stalemate in negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the future of their fragile ceasefire, which has been in place for 42 days.
The Israeli government expressed support for an extension of the ceasefire proposed by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which would cover the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. However, Hamas has rejected this proposal, pushing instead for a transition to the second phase of the ceasefire deal. This phase is expected to involve the release of all remaining hostages and a more enduring cessation of hostilities in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.
In an official statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, it was confirmed that, effective immediately, all goods and supplies entering Gaza would be suspended. The statement warned that further consequences would follow if Hamas maintained its refusal to proceed with the truce extension.
In response, Hamas condemned the suspension of humanitarian aid, calling it “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime” that undermines the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported incidents of “artillery shelling and gunfire from Israeli tanks” in the eastern region of Khan Yunis, although the Israeli army claimed it had no knowledge of such shelling in that area. Contrarily, the Palestine Red Crescent reported casualties, including one fatality from an Israeli drone strike and another in a nearby town. Additionally, the Israeli army conducted air strikes in northern Gaza targeting individuals they accused of planting an explosive device.
After the aid suspension announcement, a spokesperson for Netanyahu confirmed that no trucks entered Gaza that morning and that this situation would persist. Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the decision, framing it as an essential measure and emphasizing the need for a continued military effort until a complete victory over Hamas is achieved.
The proposed extension of the truce would involve releasing half of the remaining hostages from Gaza immediately, while the rest would be freed once a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached. Hamas has called on mediators and the international community to exert pressure on Israel to cease what it described as “punitive and immoral measures” against over two million residents of Gaza.
Amidst these developments, demonstrators in Tel Aviv called for the government to prioritize the release of hostages still held by Hamas. Families of the captives expressed their distress, alleging that the current negotiation crisis was a tactic orchestrated by Netanyahu.
During the initial ceasefire phase, Hamas released 25 living hostages and the remains of eight deceased individuals in exchange for around 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. Of the 251 individuals taken by Hamas during its October 7 attack on Israel, 58 remain in captivity, with 34 confirmed deceased by the Israeli military.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with more than 15 months of conflict leading to accusations of exacerbated conditions and warnings from the United Nations about impending famine. Following the ceasefire, aid had surged into the territory, but Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed claims of starvation as false.
The timing of the supplies suspension coincides with the ongoing month of Ramadan, during which many Gazans are observing traditional practices despite the ongoing conflict. Residents have gathered amidst the devastation to break their fasts as they seek solace in their homeland, expressing resilience despite the overwhelming challenges they face.
The ongoing conflict began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October, which resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides—over 48,388 deaths reported in Gaza, primarily among civilians, and 1,218 casualties in Israel, mostly civilians as well. In the backdrop of this escalating situation, Washington announced an increase in military support for Israel, allocating approximately $4 billion in emergency military assistance.
