Israel announced Sunday it was halting the delivery of all humanitarian supplies into Gaza as the first phase of the cease-fire in the Palestinian territory expires.
The Israeli government has threatened “further consequences” if the Hamas militant group refuses the cease-fire extension proposed by the U.S.
A Hamas spokesman has slammed Israel’s move as “cheap blackmail” and “a blatant coup” against the truce agreement, according to media reports.
“No trucks entered Gaza this morning, nor will they at this stage,” Omer Dostri, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wrote online.
Hamas wants to proceed to the second phase of the cease-fire agreement they claim was originally negotiated in January, which covers the release of Israeli hostages, the return of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas and Israel are at odds about how to proceed, with the Israeli government wanting phase one, with the release of more Israeli hostages and the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, to continue.
“With the conclusion of the first stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the [U.S. envoy Steve] Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel has agreed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted,” said the Israeli government in a statement.
In the first phase of the cease-fire, 33 Israeli hostages were released and eight bodies were returned from Gaza, in exchange for more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, according to CNN. That phase expired on Saturday.
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