Israel announced on Sunday morning that it would cease entry to all commodities and humanitarian aid to Gaza land after a few hours of proposals to temporarily extend the now expired ceasefire with Hamas.
The drastic steps to block aid seem to be to bring Hamas into the new framework and to make the Israeli government’s negotiating position clear.
According to an extension proposal made by Israel, the extension was attributed to the U.S. envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, who, on the first day of the deal, half of the remaining hostages in Gaza will be released to Israel. If a permanent truce has been reached at the end of the temporary extension (extended to the end of Passover on April 20), the remaining hostages will be returned.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that he had decided: “As of this morning, all goods and supplies entering the Gaza Strip will cease to stop” because “Hamas refuses to accept the Israeli-consensated overview of Witkov to continue negotiations.”
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues to refuse, further consequences will be borne,” the statement added.
The move could deteriorate the conditions for Gaza residents after 15 months of war put most of the coastal enclaves in ruins.
Israel and Hamas have been working to move from the first phase of the ceasefire that expired on Saturday to the second phase of the initial request for the transaction.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Israel’s proposal for a truce comes after a cabinet meeting chaired by Mr. Netanyahu, with his defense minister, senior defense officials and a negotiating team.
A Hamas spokesman told Arab TV earlier on Saturday that armed groups rejected Israel’s extension framework, Reuters reported.
At least for the time being, Israel and Hamas have reasons to avoid another round of battle. Hamas wants to give its troops a chance to recover, while Israel wants to take the rest of the hostages home. However, the prospect of reaching a comprehensive agreement seems far away.
Aaron David Miller said Hamas is unlikely to accept Israel’s proposal. Former State Department Middle East analyst and negotiator is now a senior fellow at the Carnegie International Peace Endowment Foundation. He said the proposal “allows Israelis to restore hostages without making reciprocity commitments.”
Under the proposal, the extension will cover the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan, which begins on weekends and ends at the end of March, with the Jewish Passover holiday from the evening of April 12 to April 20. Together they will give Israel and Hamas about seven weeks to reach a comprehensive agreement.
“Hamas will not return all hostages until Steelclad assured that the Israelis will withdraw their troops and formally declare and comply before the war is over,” Miller said. “No one will give Hamas a guarantee.”
Israel and Hamas alleged that they violated existing deals, which were filed in the last few days of the Biden administration. The first phase of the agreement allows for a six-week truce to negotiate the end of the war.
The clause includes the exchange of Israeli hostages as Palestinian prisoners. A week ago, Israel delayed the release of hundreds of prisoners in protest against Hamas’ promotion of Israeli hostages in public glasses before handing over.
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel that the weekend had not begun seriously, although officials from all sides did visit Cairo to discuss the next step. Mr Netanyahu said Israel is ready to resume combat if Hamas does not voluntarily disarm.
Hamas avoided calls for a resumption of hostilities, although the group refused to surrender.
