Israel announced on Sunday that it would cease all goods and humanitarian aid entering Gaza, a significant action that disrupted the existing framework for negotiating a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict.
This decision followed the conclusion of the first phase of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Key details include:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the halt to humanitarian assistance and goods shortly after proposing a seven-week extension of the temporary cease-fire. This extension would require Hamas to release half of the remaining living hostages as well as the remains of half of the deceased hostages.
The announcement appears to be a strategy to compel Hamas into accepting Israel's terms for a cease-fire. Hamas was responsible for the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of around 250 hostages, igniting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. During the initial cease-fire, Israel received 25 living hostages and the remains of eight deceased individuals in exchange for about 1,500 Palestinian prisoners, while facilitating an increase in aid to Gaza.
Israel attributed its proposal for an extension to the efforts of the new U.S. envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff. This would replace a prior agreement negotiated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, which included a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a commitment to a permanent cease-fire in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages.
In response, Hamas characterized the aid halt as “cheap blackmail,” labeling it a “blatant upending of the agreement,” while affirming its readiness to negotiate the second stage of the deal.
The cessation of aid will likely exacerbate the hardships faced by Palestinian civilians, particularly as many enter the holy month of Ramadan. Availability of fuel, essential for bakeries, is also facing restrictions. Despite the halt, two Israeli officials noted that water supplies would continue.
The announcement has already caused a rise in prices for essential goods in Gaza markets, as indicated by a local resident, Abdulrahman Mohammed, a father of four.
The ongoing conflict has been devastating, with Israeli airstrikes and fighting resulting in over 45,000 deaths according to Palestinian health authorities. The volume of aid reaching Gaza has significantly decreased compared to pre-war levels, a situation attributed by the United Nations and aid organizations to Israeli restrictions, which Israel disputes. This decline has led to severe malnutrition issues, with experts warning of a looming famine. A surge in aid had been noted during the cease-fire, which appears to have now ended.
This recent development also raises uncertainties regarding the fate of the remaining hostages in Gaza.