Israel stops sending aid to Gaza, Hamas responds "very harshly"

On March 2, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had decided to stop sending all types of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in the context of the end of Phase 1 of the hostage rescue agreement.

Palestinian refugees receive food aid from UNRWA in the Gaza Strip on January 28, 2024. (Source: AFP)

Israel has cited Hamas' refusal to accept a US proposal to extend the ceasefire through Passover and Ramadan along with releasing more hostages.

"With the end of Phase 1 of the hostage deal and in view of Hamas' refusal to accept (US Special Envoy Steve) Witkoff's outline for continued negotiations - which Israel agreed to - Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all deliveries of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease. Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages," the statement said, threatening "further consequences" if Hamas continues to reject the proposal.

According to Kan television, Israel believes that enough aid has entered the enclave in recent weeks to last Hamas for months.

On the evening of March 1, Israel announced that it would implement the "Witkoff" plan. According to Israel's report on Special Envoy Witkoff's proposal, half of the remaining hostages - alive and dead - would be released on the first day of the extension of the ceasefire, and the remaining captives would be released at the end of the extension if a permanent ceasefire was achieved.

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to halt humanitarian aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip was a "cheap act of intimidation" and went against the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas also called on mediators to force Israel to end sanctions against Gaza.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/israel-ngung-hoat-dong-dua-hang-vien-tro-vao-gaza-hamas-phan-phao-cuc-gat-306142.html