Israel halted further aid shipments to Gaza after terrorist group Hamas turned down a ceasefire proposal by President Donald Trump’s administration. Hamas’s rejection comes after a 42-day-long ceasefire — first phase of a three stage deal — expired on Saturday.
“Israel on Sunday stopped the supply of humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip and closed all border crossings,” the Israeli news website YNET reported. “The decision by the government came hours after the first phase of the cease-fire agreement with Hamas expired amid a crisis in the talks to extend it and bring about the release of more hostages held by the terror group.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s had agreed to extend the Gaza ceasefire under a proposal by President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Netanyahu agreed to adopt the Witkoff ceasefire proposal to release half the living and deceased hostages on the first day, with the rest released after a permanent deal is struck — but Hamas refused,” Israel’s i24NEWS TV channel reported.
Under the U.S. proposal, the ceasefire in Gaza was to extend over the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began on February 28 and ends on March 29. The proposed ceasefire would also have coincided with the Jewish Passover festivities.
The decision came after Israel delivered massive amounts of aid to Gaza during the 6-week-long ceasefire, enough to last for several months, the Israel media reports say. “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,” the Israel Hayom newspaper observed.
The Times of Israel reported:
Israel is not allowing any more goods to enter Gaza, says the Prime Minister’s Office, citing Hamas’s refusal to accept what it says is an American proposal to extend phase one of the ceasefire through Passover and Ramadan alongside more hostage releases.“With the end of Phase 1 of the hostage deal,” says the PMO, “and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff outline for continuing talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease.”“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu’s office continues, threatening “further consequences” if Hamas continues to say no to the proposal.According to the Kan public broadcaster, Israel believes enough aid has entered the enclave in recent weeks to last Gaza for several months.Israel announced last night it was adopting the “Witkoff” plan, when it was revealed for the first time by the PMO.According to Israel’s account of Witkoff’s proposal, half of the remaining hostages — living and dead — would be released on the first day of the extended ceasefire, and the remaining captives would be released at the end of the period if a permanent ceasefire is reached.
The latest rejection by Hamas is yet another setback to the arduous diplomatic efforts to bring hostages homes after more than 510 days of captivity in Gaza. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist groups continue to hold 59 hostages, including the bodies of 35 Israelis murdered in Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.
This is not the first time Hamas rejected a Ramadan ceasefire, choosing instead to use the holy Muslim month to regroup its terrorists forces and resume hostilities. In early 2024, Hamas rejected a similar proposal. Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, does not prevent or prohibit the Gaza-based jihadist group from recruiting new fighters, rebuilding its terrorist capabilities, and conducting attacks on Israel.
In recent years, Ramadan has been a preferred period for Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups to stage waves of deadly attacks against Israel.
As the ceasefire ends, Hamas appears to have resumed terrorist activities in Gaza. Israeli Air Forces (IAF) on Sunday carried out a strike to thwart an attack on IDF ground troops.
“Earlier today (Sunday), several suspects operated near IDF troops in northern Gaza and were identified planting an explosive device in the area,” the Israeli military said in statement. “In order to thwart the threat, the IAF struck the suspects.”
The armed forces vowed to continue military operations aimed at protecting Israeli civilians and soldiers. “The IDF will continue to operate in order to eliminate any threat posed to the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF troops,” the statement added.
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