Israel announced on Sunday, March 2nd, the suspension of humanitarian aid entry into the Gaza Strip. This decision comes amid a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations, with the Israeli government pressing Hamas to accept a U.S.-proposed extension of the temporary truce.
Hamas has condemned Israel's action as a "war crime," asserting that it violates the terms of the ceasefire agreement, which concluded its initial 42-day phase on Saturday. The group insists on transitioning to the second phase of the ceasefire, involving the release of remaining hostages and a more lasting end to hostilities in Gaza.
According to Netanyahu's cabinet, the initial phase extension proposal was presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, aiming to extend the agreement through Ramadan and ending around Passover. The proposal included the release of half of the remaining hostages upon the pact's enactment, with the rest freed upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement.