Israel Halts Gaza Aid After Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Extension

March 3, 2025 by No Comments

Israel announced Sunday it would halt all goods and supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, warning Hamas of “additional consequences” if they reject the proposed ceasefire extension.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated on X that due to the conclusion of the first phase of the hostage deal and Hamas’s rejection of the Steve Witkoff framework (which Israel accepted) for continued talks, all goods and supplies to Gaza would be stopped, effective immediately.

The post continued, stating that Israel will not agree to a ceasefire without the release of hostages and that further refusal from Hamas would lead to “additional consequences.”

Hamas has accused Israel of sabotaging the truce, calling the aid cutoff “cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the (ceasefire) agreement.”

In a statement, Hamas said that Israel’s announcement of halting aid confirms its failure to honor commitments and obligations under the ceasefire agreement. Hamas also said it “reflects its ugly criminal face and constitutes a continuation of the genocide against our people, as well as an act of blackmail targeting an entire population by depriving them of food, water, and medicine.”

The initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which saw an increase in humanitarian aid, ended on Saturday. Negotiations for the second phase, which involves Hamas releasing remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire, have not yet occurred.

An Israeli official stated that the decision to halt aid was coordinated with the Trump administration.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli officials expressed support for extending the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, until April 20, based on a proposal from the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

According to Netanyahu’s office, the proposed deal would involve Hamas releasing half the hostages on the first day and the rest upon reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire.

During the first phase, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others in return for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel also withdrew forces from Gaza and increased humanitarian aid to the region.

However, the first phase was marked by disputes, with both sides accusing the other of ceasefire violations.

Hamas now claims that suspending aid is another violation by Israel, asserting that deliveries were supposed to continue during negotiations for the second phase.

The conflict began with a Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of over 251 people. Hamas still holds 59 hostages, with 32 presumed dead.

According to the Hamas-run government’s Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths. The ministry does not specify the number of terrorists or civilians among the deceased.