Israel halts Gaza aid to pressure Hamas on ceasefire deal

Israel has completely halted the delivery of all goods and humanitarian supplies into Gaza, increasing pressure on Hamas to accept a new proposal aimed at extending the initial phase of a fragile ceasefire. The Israeli government also warned that further consequences would follow if Hamas refuses to engage with the terms presented.

Hamas condemned Israel’s move to cut off essential aid, calling it an act of extortion, a violation of international law, and a direct breach of the ceasefire agreement. Despite the escalating rhetoric from both sides, neither officially declared the truce over, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which facilitated increased humanitarian aid into Gaza, officially ended on Saturday. Negotiations over the next phase, which was expected to involve the release of additional hostages in exchange for an Israeli military withdrawal and a more durable ceasefire, have yet to produce an agreement.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the decision to block aid was coordinated directly with the Trump administration, highlighting the ongoing close collaboration between the two governments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel supports a proposal put forward by U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, which calls for extending the initial phase of the ceasefire through both Ramadan and Passover, ending on April 20.

According to the proposed plan, Hamas would be required to release half of the remaining hostages on the first day, with the rest to be freed only after both parties reach a final agreement on a permanent ceasefire. Neither the U.S., Egypt, nor Qatar — the main mediators involved in past negotiations — have publicly commented on the latest proposal.

During the six-week initial phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages, along with the bodies of eight others. In return, Israel freed almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli troops largely pulled back from central Gaza, and a temporary increase in aid deliveries helped alleviate some humanitarian needs. However, tensions and accusations persisted throughout the pause, with both sides regularly accusing each other of violating terms.

Israeli forces killed dozens of Palestinians during the ceasefire period, claiming they approached restricted zones or ignored security warnings. Hamas, meanwhile, claims the aid suspension directly breaches the ceasefire terms, arguing that the flow of supplies was supposed to continue during talks about the next phase.

Israel originally imposed a total blockade on Gaza in the earliest days of the war, only partially easing it later following heavy diplomatic pressure from the Biden administration. Despite that, the United Nations and numerous humanitarian organizations repeatedly criticized Israel for obstructing aid deliveries, arguing that the level of assistance reaching Gaza remained far below what was needed. Israel countered those claims, asserting that adequate supplies were allowed in, while blaming the UN for poor distribution and accusing Hamas of diverting resources.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a large-scale assault into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 251 hostages. As of now, 59 hostages remain in captivity, though 32 are believed to have died.

The war’s toll on Gaza has been catastrophic. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed so far, with over half of the victims reported to be women and children. However, the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty reports.

The extensive Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have reduced large sections of Gaza to rubble. At the peak of the fighting, roughly 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents were displaced. Even now, hundreds of thousands remain crammed into makeshift shelters, including overcrowded schools and tent camps, while most of the population relies entirely on humanitarian aid for food, water, and medical supplies.