Outrage as Israel cuts off Gaza assist to strain Hamas to simply accept a brand new ceasefire proposal

A boy sits as Palestinians collect to obtain assist supplied by UNRWA together with meals provides, after Israel says it has ceased entry of humanitarian assist into Gaza, exterior a distribution heart, at Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
| Photograph Credit score: MAHMOUD ISSA

Israel confronted sharp criticism on Sunday (March 2, 2025) because it stopped the entry of all meals and different provides into Gaza and warned of “further penalties” if Hamas doesn’t settle for a brand new proposal to increase a fragile ceasefire.

The Overseas Minister of Egypt, a key mediator within the battle, accused Israel of utilizing “hunger as a weapon” in “a flagrant and clear violation of humanitarian regulation.” Saudi Arabia referred to as Israel’s determination “a software of extortion.”

Hamas accused Israel of making an attempt to derail the ceasefire hours after its first part had ended and stated Israel’s determination to chop off assist was “a struggle crime and a blatant assault” on a truce that took a 12 months of negotiations earlier than taking maintain in January.

The primary part featured a surge in humanitarian assist after months of rising starvation. It expired on Saturday (March 1, 2025). Within the second part, Hamas might launch dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout from Gaza and an enduring ceasefire. Negotiations on the second part have been meant to begin a month in the past however haven’t begun.

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Israel stated Sunday (March 2, 2025) {that a} new U.S. proposal requires extending the ceasefire’s first part by means of Ramadan — the Muslim holy month that started over the weekend — and the Jewish Passover vacation, which ends on April 20.

Underneath that proposal, Hamas would launch half the hostages on the primary day and the remainder when an settlement is reached on a everlasting ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated.

Saying the ceasefire has saved numerous lives, the Worldwide Committee of the Pink Cross stated that “any unravelling of the ahead momentum created over the past six weeks dangers plunging folks again into despair.”

U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher referred to as Israel’s determination “alarming,” noting that worldwide humanitarian regulation makes clear that assist entry have to be allowed. Medical charity MSF accused Israel of utilizing assist as a bargaining chip, calling that “unacceptable” and “outrageous.”

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The U.S. made no instant remark, and it wasn’t clear when U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who was anticipated to go to the area final week, would arrive.

Mr. Netanyahu stated that Israel is absolutely coordinated with the Trump administration and the ceasefire will solely proceed so long as Hamas retains releasing hostages.

The struggle has left most of Gaza’s inhabitants of over 2 million depending on worldwide assist. Tons of of assist vehicles had entered each day because the ceasefire started on January 19, easing fears of famine raised by worldwide consultants.

However residents stated costs shot up as phrase of the closure unfold.

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From the closely destroyed Jabaliya city refugee camp, Fayza Nassar stated the closure would worsen dire situations.

“There shall be famine and chaos,” she stated.

Hamas warned that any try to delay or cancel the ceasefire settlement would have “humanitarian penalties” for the hostages. The one option to free them is thru the prevailing deal, the group reiterated.

Israel imposed a siege on Gaza within the struggle’s opening days and solely eased it beneath U.S. strain. U.N. businesses and assist teams accused Israel of not facilitating sufficient assist throughout 15 months of struggle.

The Worldwide Felony Courtroom stated there was motive to consider Israel had used “hunger as a way of warfare” when it issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Netanyahu final 12 months. The allegation can also be central to South Africa’s case on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.

Israel has denied the accusations. It says it has allowed in sufficient assist and blamed shortages on what it referred to as the U.N.’s incapability to distribute it. It additionally accused Hamas of siphoning off assist.

Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, stated Israel as an occupying energy has an “absolute responsibility” to facilitate humanitarian assist beneath the Geneva Conventions, and referred to as Israel’s determination “a resumption of the war-crime hunger technique” that led to the ICC warrant.

The struggle started when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and taking 251 hostage. The militants presently maintain 59 hostages, 35 of them believed to be lifeless.

Israel’s offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, in response to Gaza’s Well being Ministry. It says greater than half of these killed have been girls and kids. It doesn’t specify how most of the lifeless have been combatants.

Israeli bombardment pounded giant areas of Gaza to rubble and displaced some 90% of the inhabitants.