Humanitarian Aid Blocked by Israel Amid Ceasefire Negotiation…

The ceasefire phase in Gaza ended without negotiations for the next phase, as Israel, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, blocked humanitarian aid following Hamas’s rejection of a proposed truce. This prompted denouncements from Hamas and Egypt, advocating action against Israel’s measures that impact millions of Gazans. The situation remains tense as discussions related to a humanitarian response persist.

The first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came to an end on Sunday without launching negotiations for the subsequent phase, initially slated to commence on February 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that all goods and supplies to Gaza would cease due to Hamas’s rejection of a truce proposal for Ramadan, presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

In reaction to Netanyahu’s announcement, Hamas condemned the decision as “cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant violation of the agreement,” urging international mediators to pressure Israel to cease its punitive actions against the civilian population of Gaza, which numbers over two million.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed acceptance of the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan, contingent upon the release of half of the hostages on the agreement’s first day; however, it emphasized Hamas’s rejection of this proposal. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty criticized Israel’s actions, denouncing the use of humanitarian aid as a mechanism for collective punishment and starvation.

As this situation unfolds, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Israel following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, initiated on January 19, was segmented into three phases, with stipulations that negotiations for each succeeding phase must precede the end of the current one, a timeline Netanyahu has postponed.

During the first phase, Israel released 33 hostages, including eight deceased, in exchange for 1,755 Palestinian prisoners. The Islamic Jihad Movement accused Netanyahu of undermining the ceasefire agreement, attributing responsibility for the ensuing consequences to his actions. The government media office in Gaza described Israel’s decision to restrict aid as evidence of its failure to fulfill commitments, profoundly impacting the economy and increasing dependency on humanitarian assistance due to the blockade of industries.

In summary, Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire has drawn international condemnation. The rejection of the proposed truce by Hamas continues to complicate the humanitarian situation for Palestinians. This situation highlights the urgent need for dialogue and support from international mediators to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com