Israel on Sunday halted humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza, the Israeli prime minister’s office informed.
“In view of the completion of the first phase of the hostage exchange agreement, and because of Hamas’ refusal to accept US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Whitkoff’s proposals to continue negotiations, which Israel has accepted, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided, starting this morning (March 2), to stop the delivery of any goods to the Gaza Strip,” the office said in a statement.
Israel had earlier backed a US proposal to extend the ceasefire with Hamas for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. The statement was released minutes after the 42 days of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire expired.
Whitkoff’s proposed plan calls for half of the hostages remaining in the Palestinian enclave, both alive and dead, to be handed over to Israel on the first day of the truce extension. The remaining ones would be released at the end of that period if a permanent ceasefire is agreed.
The plan emerged when Whitkoff became convinced that the differences between the parties over a complete cessation of hostilities could not be resolved at this time.
Israel accused of violating humanitarian law for halting Gaza aid
Cairo and Doha accused Israel of violating humanitarian law by using hunger as a weapon.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty called on all sides to hold up their end of the deal and abide by the terms of the agreement, which came into force on January 19. The first phase of the trilateral pact expired a few days ago, but the parties have yet to agree on the continuation of the second phase.
“Regarding the second phase, as I said, each party must fulfil its obligations. This agreement must be honoured and include the full flow of aid. The use of aid as a weapon of collective punishment must not be allowed or accepted. It is totally unacceptable and is a blatant and clear violation of international humanitarian law,” Abdel Aaty said.
The UN and several international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross also condemned Israel’s decision, accusing Netanyahu’s government of flouting international humanitarian laws.
UN Secretary General António Guterres called on all parties to make every effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities and bloodshed in Gaza. He also called on Israel to immediately restore the delivery of aid to the enclave and demanded that Hamas release all remaining hostages.
Houthis eye renewed attacks as damage caused by Israeli airstrikes revealed
Yemeni Houthi leader Abdel Malik al-Houthi said the Houthis would open fire on Israel if the war in the Gaza Strip resumes.
“The resumption of war in the Gaza Strip will be accompanied by the return to fire of the entire hostile Zionist entity,” al-Houthi said. The Houthis stopped firing rockets into Israel 43 days ago, since the ceasefire with Hamas went into effect.
On February 11, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said that in case of a breakdown of the truce in Gaza or Lebanon, his group will resume rocket attacks on Israel.
“We are ready to attack Israel if it resumes strikes on Gaza,” al-Houthi said in an interview, adding that his organisation is ready for an immediate escalation against the “Israeli enemy.” As for Lebanon, al-Houthi promised that the Houthis “will support the people of Lebanon if the occupation decides to escalate the situation.”
