Israel said Sunday it has stopped the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza following the expiry of phase one of the ceasefire deal and Hamas’ refusal of a US-backed extension.
The first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, under which dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed since mid-January, reached its expiration date on Saturday.
Hamas has insisted on advancing to the second stage, accusing Israel of “ongoing manipulation” with its proposed extension to cover the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. That extension had been proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said Sunday: “With the completion of Phase A of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for continuing the talks — which Israel had agreed to — Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be stopped.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be additional consequences.”
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi said in a statement Sunday that “the only path to regional stability and the return of the prisoners is the full implementation of the agreement, starting with the second phase.”
Hamas wants the second phase to include negotiations for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the enclave’s reconstruction, “and then the release of prisoners as part of an agreed-upon deal,” Mardawi said.
“This is what we insist on, and we will not back down from it,” he added.
The Israelis want phase one to continue – the exchange of hostages, alive and deceased, in return for the continued release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and the flow of higher volumes of aid into Gaza. There are thought to be 24 Israeli hostages still alive in Gaza.