Israel’s recent halt of all aid supplies to Gaza has drawn severe criticism as it seeks to pressure Hamas into accepting a new ceasefire proposal. Key figures, including Egypt’s foreign minister and U.N. officials, condemned these actions as violations of humanitarian law. With negotiations stalled, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is precarious, raising fears of famine and worsening conditions for the population and hostages alike.
Israel has stopped all aid supplies to Gaza in an attempt to pressure Hamas into accepting a new ceasefire proposal, prompting widespread criticism. Egypt’s foreign minister condemned this move as using “starvation as a weapon,” while Saudi Arabia described it as “a tool of extortion.” Hamas, which claimed the decision was intended to sabotage a fragile ceasefire established after extensive negotiations, labeled it a war crime.
The halt in aid comes after the first phase of the ceasefire, which led to increased humanitarian aid entering Gaza, ended. The proposal for the second phase included the conditional release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a more permanent ceasefire agreement. Discussions for this second phase have not yet commenced.
Israel’s proposal for extending the ceasefire seeks to cover the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the plan includes the release of half the remaining hostages at the start of the ceasefire extension, with the remainder released upon a permanent ceasefire agreement. Currently, it is estimated that 59 hostages are held, with 35 presumed dead.
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that unraveling the recent humanitarian progress could lead to catastrophic conditions in Gaza. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher criticized Israel’s decision, emphasizing that international humanitarian law mandates unimpeded access to aid. Medical charity MSF also condemned Israel’s actions, branding them as using aid for leverage, calling it “unacceptable.”
Five NGOs appealed to Israel’s Supreme Court for an order preventing the restriction of aid to Gaza, arguing this action violates international law and should not be contingent on political negotiations. The U.S. has not provided an immediate response concerning this situation, and uncertainty remains over the visit of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to the region.
Israel emphasized that the ceasefire’s continuity is directly linked to Hamas’s compliance with hostage releases. The ongoing conflict has left over two million Gazans dependent on international aid, with an average of 600 aid trucks arriving daily since January, significantly reducing the risk of famine. However, reports indicate that prices of essential goods have surged due to the closure.
Hamas warned that any disruption to the ceasefire would have dire humanitarian implications for the hostages. The group reiterated that the existing agreement is crucial for freeing hostages. Throughout the conflict, Israel has faced allegations of blocking aid, and the U.N. and other organizations have criticized its limited facilitation of humanitarian support.
The International Criminal Court had previously indicated that Israel may have employed starvation as a method of warfare, which forms part of ongoing legal actions against Israel. Israel has consistently denied these allegations, asserting it provides sufficient aid while blaming aid shortages on distribution failures by the U.N. and Hamas’s misappropriation of supplies.
Kenneth Roth, ex-head of Human Rights Watch, remarked that as an occupying force, Israel has a legal duty to ensure aid delivery, labeling the recent moves as a return to a strategy viewed as a war crime. The conflict escalated when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant casualties and hostage situations.
Israel’s suspension of aid to Gaza to leverage Hamas for a ceasefire extension has ignited international condemnation. The cessation of humanitarian supplies threatens to exacerbate already dire conditions in Gaza, where reliance on aid is critical. Key international figures have labeled Israel’s approach as violations of humanitarian law. The repercussions of this decision could impact hostages, ongoing negotiations, and the humanitarian landscape in the region.
Original Source: kstp.com
