Israel Has Deliberately Blocked All Aid From Entering Gaza Unless Hamas Accepts A New US Deal
Deliberately denying humanitarian access is a war crime under international humanitarian law, particularly when it involves starving civilians as a method of warfare.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israel to block all aid from entering into Gaza unless Hamas accepts to extend phase one of the ceasefire deal and release all the remaining Israeli hostages.
Deliberately denying humanitarian access is a war crime under international humanitarian law, particularly when it involves starving civilians as a method of warfare.
The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas ended on Saturday, March 1, without an agreement on the second phase, with Israel saying it will not withdraw its troops from Gaza.
Netanyahu then said in a statement Sunday, March 2 — the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan —that Israel had accepted a US proposal to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire deal by another 50 days, instead of proceeding into phase 2.
Under the US proposal, the 50-day extension period would include Hamas releasing half of the remaining Israeli hostages, with the rest to be released if a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached.
Hamas rejected the proposal, insisting on moving to the second phase of the original agreement, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Netanyahu said that Israel would then stop letting goods and supplies into Gaza and will “take further steps” with full US backing until Hamas releases all the remaining hostages.
Hamas called Israel’s move” cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement” and urged mediators to intervene.
Also Read
Cherry Mohamed
Isha Jain
