Israel has stopped all food and supplies to Gaza, drawing international outrage as it seeks to pressure Hamas into accepting a new ceasefire proposal. The cessation of aid has been labeled by critics as a violation of humanitarian law, with accusations directed at Israel of using starvation as a weapon. The situation puts the ongoing ceasefire in jeopardy and raises significant humanitarian concerns.
Israel is facing severe backlash after halting all food and essential supplies into Gaza, escalating pressure on Hamas to accept a new ceasefire proposal. Egypt’s foreign minister condemned Israel’s actions, describing them as a violation of humanitarian law, while Saudi Arabia denounced it as a means of extortion. Hamas labeled the aid cuts as a war crime and an affront to the recent ceasefire, which had been negotiated for over a year before it began in January.
The ceasefire’s first phase saw a significant influx of humanitarian assistance, alleviating months of hunger before it expired on Saturday. The anticipated second phase was meant to include the release of numerous hostages by Hamas in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal and a long-term ceasefire agreement. However, negotiations for this phase have yet to commence despite being planned for a month.
Israeli officials announced a new U.S. proposal aimed at extending the ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that under this plan, Hamas would free half of the hostages initially, with the remainder contingent upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement. Of the 59 hostages currently held, 35 are believed dead.
The International Committee of the Red Cross highlighted that the ceasefire had been instrumental in saving numerous lives and warned against potential humanitarian risks should aid access be disrupted. United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher emphasized the importance of maintaining aid access per international law, while medical charity MSF criticized the use of aid as leverage during negotiations.
A collective of five non-governmental organizations petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court for an order preventing further aid disruption, arguing that such actions violate international obligations. The U.S. State Department has yet to comment on the situation, leaving uncertainty regarding the arrival of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in the region.
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, approximately 600 aid trucks have been entering Gaza daily, ameliorating fears of famine. Nevertheless, residents reported rising prices amid the closure announcement. Fayza Nassar from Jabaliya urban refugee camp warned of the impending famine, predicting chaos for the community.
Hamas cautioned that any delays or cancellations of the ceasefire agreement could adversely affect hostages, declaring that adherence to the existing agreement is essential for their release. Throughout the conflict, Israel has faced accusations of obstructing aid, with U.N. agencies and other groups alleging insufficient aid distribution during the ongoing war.
The International Criminal Court previously stated it had reason to believe Israel employed starvation tactics as a method of warfare, matching allegations central to South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Israel consistently refutes these claims, asserting that it has facilitated adequate aid and attributing shortages to the U.N.’s distribution failures and accusations against Hamas of misappropriating aid.
Israel has faced significant condemnation for its recent decision to halt aid to Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire extension. Criticism includes claims that such actions violate humanitarian standards and international law. As tensions escalate, calls for a return to negotiations and the safe delivery of aid highlight urgent humanitarian needs and the complexity of the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: kstp.com
