Israel's decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza since early Sunday has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinian factions, regional countries, and international organizations. 😔
At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the move \"to prevent any entry of goods and supplies into Gaza\" was aimed at pressuring Hamas to accept a new proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, presented by U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu warned that Hamas would face \"additional consequences\" if it did not agree to the proposal.
In response, Hamas condemned the blockade, calling it a \"blatant attempt to renege on the agreement and evade negotiations for its second phase.\" The group labeled the decision to block aid to Gaza's 2 million residents as \"cheap blackmail and a war crime,\" urging mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to reverse the move.
Condemnations
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called the decision \"a flagrant violation of the ceasefire\" and an indication that Israel seeks to evade the second phase of the agreement.
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine also condemned the decision, describing it as an escalation of Israel's \"starvation warfare\" against Gaza's population, which will only deepen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Islamic Jihad referred to the decision as \"a crime against humanity\" in a press statement, accusing the United States of shielding Israel by continuing to provide military aid and political cover. 🇺🇸🤝🇮🇱
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated, \"We strongly reject the politicization of humanitarian aid and its use as a tool for extortion.\" It also called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. 🌐✊
Foreign ministries from Egypt and Jordan echoed the condemnation, stating that using aid as a weapon of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza is unacceptable and impermissible, emphasizing the urgent need for Israel to cease the blockade. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for \"humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza immediately and for the release of all hostages,\" urging \"all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza.\" 🌏🕊️
Uncertain Future
The blockade of humanitarian supplies has left Palestinians struggling to find food. 🍞🥖 The situation in the region is chaotic, with residents searching for flour, bread, and anything else they can eat during the fasting period of Ramadan. Additionally, there is fear that the Israeli army may launch another relentless assault.
Later on Sunday, Israeli officials announced that a delegation would arrive in Cairo to discuss ways to defuse tensions and ensure the ceasefire remains in effect. Over the past six weeks, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement. Despite repeated setbacks, the ceasefire has remained in place while the hostage-for-prisoner exchange envisioned in the first phase was completed.
Under the original agreement, the second phase was intended to see the start of negotiations over the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a final end to the war. However, the talks never began, and Israel insists that all its hostages must be returned for fighting to stop.
