Israel blocks entry of all humanitarian help into Gaza

Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian help into Gaza because it calls for Hamas comply with a US plan for a ceasefire extension.

The primary section of the ceasefire expired on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s workplace stated Hamas had up to now refused to just accept a brief extension underneath a proposal by Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff.

A Hamas spokesman stated blocking provides to Gaza was “low cost blackmail” and a “coup” on the ceasefire settlement and urged mediators to intervene.

The Palestinian group needs section two of the deal to go forward as initially negotiated, with the discharge of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

It beforehand stated it will not comply with any extension of section one with out ensures from US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators that section two would ultimately happen.

An announcement from Netanyahu’s workplace stated: “With the tip of Part 1 of the hostage deal, and in mild of Hamas’s refusal to just accept the Witkoff define for persevering with talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has determined that, as of this morning, all entry of products and provides into the Gaza Strip will stop.

“Israel won’t enable a ceasefire with out the discharge of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there shall be additional penalties.”

The Hamas spokesman stated: “Netanyahu’s determination to cease help going into Gaza as soon as once more reveals the ugly face of the Israeli occupation… The worldwide group should apply strain on the Israeli authorities to cease ravenous our folks.”

Late final evening, Netanyahu’s workplace stated Israel had agreed to a US proposal for the ceasefire to proceed for about six weeks throughout the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover durations.

If, on the finish of this era, negotiations reached a useless finish, Israel would reserve the fitting to return to conflict.

US envoy Witkoff has not made his proposal public. Based on Israel, it will start with the discharge of half of all of the remaining residing and useless hostages.

Witkoff is alleged by Israel to have proposed the six-week extension after turning into satisfied that extra time was wanted to attempt to bridge the variations between Israel and Hamas on circumstances for ending the conflict, in response to the sooner assertion from Netanyahu’s workplace.

Israel would instantly begin negotiations on this if Hamas modified its place on the six-week ceasefire extension, Netanyahu’s workplace stated.

Assist companies confirmed that no help vans had been allowed into Gaza on Sunday morning.

“Humanitarian help has to proceed to move into Gaza. It’s totally important. And we’re calling all events to ensure that they attain an answer,” Antoine Renard from the World Meals Programme (WFP) informed the BBC.

1000’s of vans have been getting into the Gaza Strip every week for the reason that ceasefire was agreed in mid-January. Assist companies have managed to retailer provides, which implies there isn’t a instant hazard to the civilian inhabitants from this morning’s Israeli determination.

Egypt – one of many mediators between Israel and Hamas – has referred to as for the beforehand agreed upon ceasefire deal to be carried out in full. The Egyptian international minister stated his nation would current a plan to rebuild Gaza with out displacing its folks at an emergency Arab summit on Tuesday.

Additionally on Sunday, medics stated 4 folks had been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza. The Israeli navy stated it had attacked individuals who had been planting an explosive gadget within the north of the territory.

The primary section of the ceasefire that got here into pressure on 19 January expired on Saturday.

It halted 15 months of combating between Hamas and the Israeli navy, permitting the discharge of 33 Israeli and 5 Thai hostages for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

However negotiations on section two, together with the discharge of all remaining residing hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, have barely begun.

There are believed to be 24 hostages alive, with one other 39 presumed to be useless.

Hamas carried out an unprecedented assault on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 folks and taking one other 251 hostage.

Israel responded with an air and floor marketing campaign within the Gaza Strip, throughout which no less than 48,365 folks have been killed, in response to the territory’s Hamas-run well being ministry.