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Israel blocks aid to Gaza, accused of using starvation as leverage in ceasefire talks
By isabelle // 2025-03-03
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  • Israel halts all humanitarian aid to Gaza, pressuring Hamas to extend a fragile ceasefire and sparking widespread condemnation.
  • Hamas rejected a U.S.-backed proposal to prolong the truce, leading to the aid suspension and stalled negotiations.
  • The first ceasefire phase saw a prisoner exchange, but 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 35 feared dead.
  • International organizations accuse Israel of violating humanitarian law, warning of famine and despair in Gaza.
  • Families of hostages urge Israel to prioritize their release, as the war’s toll surpasses 48,000 Palestinian deaths.
Israel has halted all humanitarian aid to Gaza, intensifying pressure on Hamas to extend a fragile ceasefire agreement in a move that has drawn widespread condemnation. The decision, announced Sunday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, comes after Hamas rejected a U.S.-backed proposal to prolong the truce through the upcoming Ramadan and Passover holidays. The first phase of the ceasefire, which included a prisoner exchange and a surge in aid deliveries, expired Saturday, leaving negotiations for the second phase in limbo. Critics argue that Israel’s blockade of food and supplies amounts to collective punishment and risks plunging Gaza’s 2.3 million residents back into famine and despair.

Aid cutoff sparks outcry

Netanyahu’s office justified the aid suspension as a response to Hamas’s refusal to accept the “Witkoff framework,” a proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire. “Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” the statement read, warning of “additional consequences” if Hamas continues to reject the deal. However, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of “cheap blackmail” and attempting to derail the ceasefire, calling the aid cutoff a “war crime” and a “blatant attack” on the agreement. The first phase of the ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, saw Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Fifty-nine hostages remain in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating that at least 35 are dead. The second phase, which has yet to be negotiated, would involve a long-term cessation of hostilities, the release of remaining captives, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

The aid suspension has drawn sharp criticism from international organizations and mediators. Egypt and Qatar have accused Israel of violating humanitarian law by using starvation as a weapon. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called the decision “alarming,” emphasizing that international law requires unimpeded aid access. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that unraveling the ceasefire risks plunging Gaza back into “despair.” During the six-week ceasefire, about 600 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, alleviating fears of famine. However, residents reported skyrocketing prices as news of the closure spread. Fayza Nassar, a resident of the heavily damaged Jabaliya refugee camp, warned of “famine and chaos” if aid remains blocked.

Accusations of genocide mount

Israel’s decision to halt aid has reignited accusations of genocide and war crimes. The International Criminal Court previously cited “starvation as a method of warfare” in its arrest warrant for Netanyahu last year. South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice also centers on allegations of genocide. Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, condemned the aid cutoff as a “resumption of the war-crime starvation strategy.” Israel denies the accusations, blaming aid shortages on the U.N.’s distribution challenges and accusing Hamas of siphoning off supplies. However, critics argue that as the occupying power, Israel has an “absolute duty” to facilitate humanitarian aid under the Geneva Conventions. Meanwhile, families of the remaining hostages are pressing Israel’s government to prioritize their release. “Postponing the negotiation on the deal for everyone’s [release] can’t happen,” said Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran. “Hostages don’t have time to wait for an ideal deal.” The war, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli bombardment has displaced 90% of Gaza’s population and reduced much of the enclave to rubble. As the ceasefire teeters on the brink of collapse, Israel’s decision to block aid has escalated tensions and drawn global condemnation. While Netanyahu frames the move as leverage to secure the release of hostages, much of the world views it as a cynical and inhumane tactic that exacerbates Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. With negotiations for the second phase stalled, the path to peace remains uncertain, leaving millions of Palestinians and the families of hostages in agonizing limbo. Sources for this article include: RT.com APNews.com FoxNews.com
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