Israel announced on Sunday that it has stopped the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza following the conclusion of the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The ceasefire deal, which involved the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, expired on Saturday. Israel has expressed its desire to continue with phase one, which includes further hostage exchanges and increased aid shipments to Gaza. However, Hamas has rejected a proposed extension backed by the US and has insisted on moving to the second stage of the agreement.
In response to Hamas’s refusal, Israel has suspended all incoming goods and supplies to Gaza. The Israeli government has emphasized that the release of hostages is a key condition for maintaining the ceasefire. Israeli officials have stated that negotiations can proceed for the second phase of the agreement, but there must be a clear agreement on the terms.
The decision to halt humanitarian aid has sparked criticism from Palestinian leaders and humanitarian organizations. They have condemned Israel’s actions as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a form of collective punishment against the people of Gaza. Hamas has described the move as “blackmail” and a “war crime”, calling on mediators to intervene and resolve the situation.
The suspension of aid has raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has already been devastated by years of conflict. Both sides are being urged to return to the negotiating table to prevent further escalation and address the urgent needs of the civilian population.
“We are adamant about the release of prisoners as part of the agreed-upon deal,” stated Mardawi. “We will not waver on this point.” The initial ceasefire agreement states that the truce can be maintained as long as negotiations are ongoing, although the current status of these talks remains uncertain. An Israeli delegation abruptly returned from Cairo on Friday, one day after their arrival in the Egyptian capital. An Israeli source, informed about the situation earlier in the week, revealed that Israel was aiming to extend the first phase of the agreement as much as possible in the hopes of securing the release of additional hostages. The majority of these hostages were captured during the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which subsequently led to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
In an apparent move to exert further pressure on Israel, Hamas released a propaganda video on Saturday showcasing Israeli hostages in Gaza. Among the scenes depicted was the emotional farewell between recently freed captive Iair Horn and his brother Eitan, who remains in captivity after 512 days. Iair and Eitan’s family consented to the video’s media release, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters issuing a statement demanding action from decision-makers: “Look Eitan in the eyes. Do not derail the agreement that has already resulted in the return of dozens of hostages. Time is of the essence! Bring everyone home now, in one unified phase.”
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office condemned the video as a cruel form of “psychological warfare.” The ceasefire, which took effect in January, saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including two men who had been held in Gaza for ten years, along with five Thai citizens who were abducted while working on a kibbutz in southern Israel. Additionally, the remains of eight individuals were returned, including Shiri Bibas and her two young sons – a deeply emotional moment for the Israeli community.
In total, 1,737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released, including 120 women and children. Among those released, approximately 1,000 had been detained following the attacks on October 7, while others were serving lengthy sentences, including life imprisonment. Some had been incarcerated in Israeli prisons for several decades. For more news and newsletters from CNN, you can sign up for an account at CNN.com.
