Israel announced on Sunday that it would stop all goods and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. Gaza is a tough move that disrupts existing agreed frameworks to negotiate the lasting end of the war.
This decision was the day after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. What should you know about this:
What did Israel say?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that it would halt humanitarian aid and merchandise flow several hours after the government proposed a seven-week extension of the temporary ceasefire.
The decision was part of a bid to force Hamas to accept Israel's ceasefire proposal.
Hamas led the October 7th, 2023 to attack Israel, which killed around 1,200 people, resulting in the seizing of around 250 hostages, causing a devastating war in Gaza. During the first ceasefire, 25 live Israeli hostages and eight dead bodies were returned to Israel in exchange for around 1,500 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The transaction also allowed for a significant increase in aid to Gaza.
Israel attributed its proposal to the job of a new US envoy to Steve Witkov in the region. It replaced the original deal negotiated by the US, Qatar and Egypt, calling for the next phase in exchange for the release of all living hostages from Gaza, including the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a commitment to a permanent ceasefire.
How did Hamas respond?
Hamas issued a statement on Sunday describing the suspension as a “cheap threat.” The group said the Israeli decision was a “blatant restraint of the contract” and added that it was willing to start negotiations for the second phase of the transaction.
What is the impact of the announcement?
According to two Israeli officials, a suspension that does not apply to the water could create even more difficulties for Palestinian civilians. Many of them are the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. The supply of fuel, which is essential to bakeries, has also been stopped.
Aside from stopping humanitarian aid, Israel's decision could also inflate prices for items that have begun to appear in Gaza's markets in recent weeks amid a lull in the battle.
Abdul Rahman Mohammed, 35, a father of four from Gaza city, said the announcement had already spiked prices for essential items.
During the 15-month war, Israeli bombings and fighting shattered Gaza, killing more than 45,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The amount of aid arriving in Gaza has also decreased dramatically compared to before the war.
The United Nations and aid groups have condemned Israel's restrictions on its decline, but Israel points fingers to aid groups. The result of the decline is severe malnutrition. Last year, experts repeatedly warned of looming hunger. Under the conditions of a ceasefire, the amount of aid to enclaves has increased sharply. This phase appears to have ended.
The move also remains hostage fate in Gaza, leaving it in unknown territory.
