Several Arab countries and the UN have condemned Israel’s decision to block the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Egypt and Qatar, along with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, decried the move as violating the ceasefire agreement and being alarming. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Hamas was stealing supplies to finance their “terror machine” and accused them of rejecting a US proposal to prolong the ceasefire in Gaza. A Hamas spokesperson labeled Israel’s actions as “cheap blackmail” and called it a “coup” against the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire, which ended 15 months of conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military, facilitated the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Both Qatar and Egypt, which mediated the ceasefire agreement, strongly condemned Israel’s decision. The Qatari foreign ministry said it violated the ceasefire and international humanitarian law, while Egypt accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon against Palestinians.
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, emphasized that international humanitarian law mandates access to deliver essential aid. Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, stating that Hamas steals supplies and denies them to the people of Gaza, using them to fund their terror activities.
Hamas denies stealing humanitarian aid and demands guarantees from mediators that phase two negotiations leading to a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces will follow before accepting an extension of phase one. Israel had agreed to a proposed ceasefire extension for about six weeks, corresponding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Jewish Passover. If negotiations stagnate, Israel would reserve the right to resume military action.
Aid agencies report that no aid trucks have entered Gaza since the blockade, stressing the urgency for humanitarian assistance to continue flowing into the territory. Despite the blockade, aid agencies have stockpiled supplies, averting an immediate threat to the civilian population.
On Sunday, four people were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, with the Israeli military claiming they targeted individuals planting an explosive device. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. The Israeli response in Gaza has, according to Hamas-run health authorities, resulted in the deaths of at least 48,365 people.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70e6rye9nxo
