Israel announced on Sunday that it would immediately stop all commodities and humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, trying to force Hamas to accept a temporary extension of the war’s ceasefire.
The move undermines the existing, agreed framework to negotiate the permanent end of the war and place the fate of the hostages in unknown territory. Amid the ruins of most coastal areas by 15 months of war, a severe pause of goods and aid (including fuel) by Gaza residents may also worsen.
The initial six-week phase between Israel and Hamas expires on Saturday. Despite being stimulated by mutual accusations of setbacks and violations, it ended up temporarily in the fight and exchange of 25 Israeli hostages, as well as the remains of eight people from about 1,500 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The agreement also allows for a substantial increase in aid to Gaza.
The next phase of the agreement calls for complete evacuation of Israeli forces from the Gaza region and promises a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, who were detained under inhuman conditions and were released.
Instead, Israel proposed a seven-week extension to the temporary ceasefire hours before the aid was announced, during which Hamas would have to Release half of the hostages of life and half of the dead body. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the extension, if a permanent ceasefire occurs, all remaining hostages must be released.
“Israel does not allow hostages without our release,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Sunday, adding: “If Hamas continues to refuse, there will be further consequences.”
Hamas immediately rejected Israeli conditions and issued a statement Sunday describing the pause in aid as “cheap blackmail” and “blatantly elevating the deal.”
Israel attributes the new proposal to the work of the U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff. The existing deal was negotiated between Israel and Hamas through third-country mediators, including the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
Last year, the United Nations and aid groups repeatedly warned of widespread hunger during the war, triggered by the October 7 Israeli attack led by Hamas. Although more commodities are available now, many Gazans say they can’t afford it and many rely on humanitarian aid.
Palestinians in Gaza are already struggling to celebrate the weekend that begins this weekend’s Ramadan, usually a happy hour on the Muslim calendar.
Abdulrahman Mohammed, 35, a four-year-old father in Gaza, said the suspension of aid has meant that essential items such as milk, fruits and vegetables are less available. He said the prices soared, adding that some traders are selling them later at higher prices.
Two Israeli officials discussed the internal review on condition of anonymity, saying aid and commodities entering the enclave in recent months meant that Gaza had enough supply for months during a temporary ceasefire. They did not provide any more details.
Officials added that the new restrictions will not apply to water entry.
Under the existing ceasefire agreement, Israel has now begun evacuation from the Philadelphia Corridor, a strategic land along the Gaza-Egypt border. By Sunday, no such movement occurred.
Mr Netanyahu said the proposed temporary ceasefire should continue until the Muslim fasting month in Ramadan and be on the Passover holiday ending on April 20.
“Steve Witkoff proposed a framework to extend the framework for the ceasefire, which is to gain the impression that currently bridges between two positions between Israel and Hamas’s, without bridging between the second phase of the existing deal,” Netanyahu said in a radio speech at the start of Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting.
Mr. Netanyahu added that according to Mr. Vikov, more negotiation time is needed to reach an agreement. “He even defined his proposal as a corridor for the second phase of negotiations,” Netanyahu added. “Israel is ready.”
But the Israeli government has been absolutely saying that unless Hamas is disarmed and evacuated from there, it is a term that Hamas is largely rejected.
The Israelis were shocked by the recently released testimony of the hostages, saying they were kept in dark tunnels for months, constantly worried about their lives, with little food and in some cases bondage. The remaining hostage families in Gaza have been begging the government to end the war and immediately take them home.
“President Trump, bring us better deals, safer deals,” Ilay David, brother of Gaza hostage Evyatar David, pleaded on Sunday. “There is no stage, no stage. “One deal is to bring everyone home,” he said in a recording statement issued by the Hostage Family Forum.
As many as 24 hostages are believed to be still alive, Mr Netanyahu said on Sunday. Hamas also held at least 35 dead bodies at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting. “We didn’t give up on anyone,” he said.
“There won’t be a free lunch, and it would be very wrong if Hamas thinks it can continue the ceasefire or benefit from the terms of the first phase, and we don’t have us taking hostages,” Mr Netanyahu said.
On Sunday, Hamas reiterated his willingness to start negotiations on the second phase of the deal and accused Israel of “blatant attempts to violate the agreement.”
Aaron David Miller said Hamas is unlikely to accept Israel’s new 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.”
On Sunday, Israel also raised the ghost of the resumption of the battle in Gaza, noting in a statement that under the initial agreement, Israel could return to the battle at this point “if it gives the impression that negotiations are invalid.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Saturday that he signed a statement asking for the use of emergency agencies to speed up the provision of about $4 billion in military aid to Israel.
Eve Sampson Reports from New York Ameera Hourouda From Doha, Qatar and Myra Novik From Jerusalem.
