A boy sits as Palestinians gather to receive aid provided by UNRWA including food supplies, after Israel says it has ceased entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, outside a distribution center, at Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip, March 2, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
| Photo Credit: MAHMOUD ISSA
Israel faced sharp criticism on Sunday (March 2, 2025) as it stopped the entry of all food and other supplies into Gaza and warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t accept a new proposal to extend a fragile ceasefire.
The Foreign Minister of Egypt, a key mediator in the conflict, accused Israel of using “starvation as a weapon” in “a flagrant and clear violation of humanitarian law.” Saudi Arabia called Israel’s decision “a tool of extortion.”
Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the ceasefire hours after its first phase had ended and said Israel’s decision to cut off aid was “a war crime and a blatant attack” on a truce that took a year of negotiations before taking hold in January.
The first phase featured a surge in humanitarian aid after months of growing hunger. It expired on Saturday (March 1, 2025). In the second phase, Hamas could release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. Negotiations on the second phase were meant to start a month ago but haven’t begun.
Also Read | Israel cuts off Gaza aid to pressure Hamas to accept new ceasefire proposal
Israel said Sunday (March 2, 2025) that a new U.S. proposal calls for extending the ceasefire’s first phase through Ramadan — the Muslim holy month that began over the weekend — and the Jewish Passover holiday, which ends on April 20.
Under that proposal, Hamas would release half the hostages on the first day and the rest when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
Saying the ceasefire has saved countless lives, the International Committee of the Red Cross said that “any unravelling of the forward momentum created over the last six weeks risks plunging people back into despair.”
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s decision “alarming,” noting that international humanitarian law makes clear that aid access must be allowed. Medical charity MSF accused Israel of using aid as a bargaining chip, calling that “unacceptable” and “outrageous.”
Also Read | Israel endorses plan to extend Gaza truce as first phase draws to close
The U.S. made no immediate comment, and it wasn’t clear when U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who was expected to visit the region last week, would arrive.
Mr. Netanyahu said that Israel is fully coordinated with the Trump administration and the ceasefire will only continue as long as Hamas keeps releasing hostages.
The war has left most of Gaza’s population of over 2 million dependent on international aid. Hundreds of aid trucks had entered daily since the ceasefire began on January 19, easing fears of famine raised by international experts.
But residents said prices shot up as word of the closure spread.
EDITORIAL | Truce under fire: On the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire
From the heavily destroyed Jabaliya urban refugee camp, Fayza Nassar said the closure would worsen dire conditions.
“There will be famine and chaos,” she said.
Hamas warned that any attempt to delay or cancel the ceasefire agreement would have “humanitarian consequences” for the hostages. The only way to free them is through the existing deal, the group reiterated.
Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in the war’s opening days and only eased it under U.S. pressure. U.N. agencies and aid groups accused Israel of not facilitating enough aid during 15 months of war.
The International Criminal Court said there was reason to believe Israel had used “starvation as a method of warfare” when it issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Netanyahu last year. The allegation is also central to South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.
Israel has denied the accusations. It says it has allowed in enough aid and blamed shortages on what it called the U.N.’s inability to distribute it. It also accused Hamas of siphoning off aid.
Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, said Israel as an occupying power has an “absolute duty” to facilitate humanitarian aid under the Geneva Conventions, and called Israel’s decision “a resumption of the war-crime starvation strategy” that led to the ICC warrant.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostage. The militants currently hold 59 hostages, 35 of them believed to be dead.
Israel’s offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It says more than half of those killed were women and children. It does not specify how many of the dead were combatants.
Israeli bombardment pounded large areas of Gaza to rubble and displaced some 90% of the population.
Published – March 03, 2025 02:12 am IST
