Israel has ceased humanitarian aid to Gaza following the expiration of a ceasefire agreement, citing Hamas’s refusal of a temporary truce proposal. Hamas has condemned this action, while Egypt has denounced it and is set to unveil a reconstruction plan. The situation reflects significant humanitarian challenges for Gaza’s civilian population amid the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip ended without initiating negotiations for its second phase, originally slated to commence on February 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a halt to all goods entering Gaza, citing Hamas’s refusal of a temporary truce proposal for Ramadan put forth by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
In reaction, Hamas branded Netanyahu’s actions as “cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant violation of the agreement.” The group urged international mediators to pressure Israel to cease its punitive measures against over two million civilians residing in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office clarified that Israel had accepted the U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan, which included the release of hostages. However, the statement indicated that Hamas had declined the proposal. Egypt condemned Israel’s decision, with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty asserting that utilizing aid as a weapon for collective punishment is indefensible.
Additionally, Egypt announced that a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza had been finalized and would be presented at the emergency Arab summit scheduled for Tuesday. This situation unfolds as U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff prepares for a visit to Israel after President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, initiated on January 19, is organized into three 42-day phases, with negotiations for succeeding phases mandated prior to the conclusion of current phases, a requirement Netanyahu has delayed.
During the first phase, Israel released 33 hostages, including eight deceased individuals, in exchange for 1,755 Palestinian prisoners. The Islamic Jihad Movement accused Netanyahu of undermining the ceasefire agreement and asserted that he must bear responsibility for the repercussions of his decisions.
The governmental media office in Gaza criticized Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid, characterizing it as evidence of Israel’s failure to honor its commitments and its intentional starvation of the Gaza population. The office further noted the complete collapse of Gaza’s economy, which has rendered the populace entirely reliant on humanitarian assistance following the cessation of all industrial activities due to ongoing hostilities.
This article outlines the current challenges facing Gaza following Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian aid amid a stalled ceasefire agreement. Key events include the rejection of a temporary truce by Hamas, condemnation from Egypt, and the implications of Israel’s military strategies on the civilian population. The tensions reflect deeper issues surrounding the ongoing conflict and emphasize the urgent need for international mediation.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
