Israel blocks humanitarian aid from entering Gaza as ceasefire talks falter

12 hrs ago

Devin Pavlou Digital Producer

By Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer)

Israel has placed a blockade on all food and aid entering Gaza on Sunday, March 2. Israeli officials warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas refused to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Israeli officials are trying to get Hamas to agree to an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which would allow the Israeli Defense Forces to stay in Gaza while more hostages are released. Both sides couldn’t reach a deal to begin the second phase after the first phase ended on Saturday, March 1.
The United Nations and several countries have criticized Israel’s blockade, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and an act of extortion.

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Israel has placed a blockade on all food and aid entering Gaza on Sunday, March 2. Israeli officials warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas refused to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

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Why did Israel block food aid from entering Gaza?

For the last few days, Israeli officials were trying to get Hamas to agree to an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal. This would allow the Israeli Defense Forces to stay in Gaza while more hostages are released.

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Both sides couldn’t reach a deal to begin the second phase of the plan after the first phase ended on Saturday, March 1. Israeli officials said they weren’t comfortable with completely withdrawing from Gaza, while Hamas wouldn’t agree to anything without the complete withdrawal of the IDF.

Israeli officials also spoke of vague “further consequences” if Hamas did not release the rest of the hostages.

“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” it said in a statement. “If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences,” a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read.

What is this new U.S. Gaza proposal?

As Israeli officials announced the blockade, they cited a new U.S. proposal to extend the first phase. It would extend the first phase through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan that began on Saturday, March 1.

The new proposal would also require Hamas to release half of its prisoners on the first day. The other half would be released following a permanent ceasefire.

Israel would not have to withdraw from Gaza under this new proposal, something the second phase of the ceasefire would require. Hamas said it wouldn’t release any other hostages without a full withdrawal of IDF troops.

What has the response been to the blockade?

United Nations officials called Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid “alarming.” They said it was against international humanitarian law to block humanitarian aid.

Saudi Arabia called Israel’s decision “a tool of extortion.” Egypt, a key mediator in the ceasefire deal, said Israel was using “starvation as a weapon.”

The Trump administration has not commented on the blockade.