Israel said on Sunday that it would stop the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza unless Hamas agrees to an extended cease-fire deal.
“With the conclusion of the 1st stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the [U.S. Mideast envoy Steve] Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel agreed, PM Netanyahu decided: as of this morning, entry of all goods & supplies to the Gaza Strip be halted,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a post on X.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences,” the office added.
Israel’s ultimatum came after the first phase of the cease-fire deal expired on Saturday. Israel and Hamas are now left to negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas would be asked to release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout and a permanent cease-fire.
Israeli officials have suggested extending the first phase of the cease-fire through Ramadan and Passover, a proposal they say came from the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. That deal would see Hamas release half the hostages on the first day and the rest of the hostages when a permanent cease-fire deal is reached. Hamas has rejected this suggestion, however, saying it wants to enter the second phase of the cease-fire deal as it was initially negotiated.
Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others during the first phase of the cease-fire, which lasted six weeks. In exchange, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, pulled its forces from much of the Gaza Strip, and allowed humanitarian aid to enter the area.
Hamas is now accusing Israel of violating the cease-fire agreement by suspending aid to the strip, arguing that humanitarian aid deliveries were supposed to be allowed to continue during negotiations for the second phase of the cease-fire.
The terror group said Israel’s decision to cut off aid was “cheap extortion, a war crime” and a “blatant attack” on the cease-fire agreement.
“The occupation’s announcement of halting the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip is yet another confirmation of its failure to uphold its commitments and its evasion of obligations under the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement. “This reflects its ugly criminal face and constitutes a continuation of the genocide against our people, as well as an act of blackmail targeting an entire population by depriving them of food, water, and medicine.”