Israel has decided to completely stop the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and has closed all crossings as of this morning, the Prime Minister's Office announced overnight between Saturday and Sunday.
The decision was made during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in coordination with the United States, aiming to increasing pressure on Hamas to accept Israel's terms in the negotiations.
Israeli assessments indicate that the Palestinians have enough food from the aid that has already entered the Gaza Strip to last between four and six months. Hamas, which stockpiled food at Gazans expense, accused: "Israel is starving the residents of the Gaza Strip."
"Following the completion of the first stage of the hostage deal and due to Hamas' refusal to accept the Vitkoff framework for continued talks, which Israel agreed to, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that starting this morning, all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted," the statement read. "Israel will not agree to a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues to refuse, there will be further consequences."
Just yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office announced that after a security discussion led by Netanyahu, Israel is adopting the framework proposed by US President Joe Biden's envoy, Steve Vitkoff, for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. The framework includes the release of half of the living and deceased hostages on the first day, and on the final day—if an agreement on a permanent ceasefire is reached—the release of the remaining hostages.
"While Hamas has repeatedly violated the agreement, Israel can resume fighting after day 42 if the negotiations are ineffective," the statement added. Israel emphasized that while it has agreed to the framework, Hamas continues to reject it.
Talks held over the weekend in Cairo ended in a deadlock, with Israel calling on the mediators to exert maximum pressure on Hamas to continue the first stage of the deal and release additional hostages.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told the French news agency AFP this morning that the Vitkoff ceasefire framework adopted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amounts to Israel "reneging on the agreements it signed." He said, "The only way to achieve stability in the region and return the prisoners is to complete the implementation of the agreement, starting with the second stage. We insist on this and will not back down."
Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman in Gaza Hazem Qassem told Qatari media that "there are still no negotiations with Hamas regarding the second stage. Israel wants to discuss extending the first stage and the return of its prisoners (hostages) with the option of renewing aggression in Gaza. This contradicts the wording of the agreement. It is evading its commitment to end the war and fully withdraw from Gaza."
