Israel on Sunday announced it would be halting supplies and humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, adding they would not accept a truce without the release of captives, as the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal came to an end without a second phase being agreed on.Â
All crossings were closed on Saturday night, including the main one, Karem Abu Salem, impacting tens of thousands of Palestinians relying on emergency supplies to survive.
The decision comes after Israel announced it would adopt a US-backed proposal that would see the ceasefire extended throughout the holy month of Ramadan and Passover, violating the terms of the truce initially agreed on.Â
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said the extension would be in exchange for the release of half of the remaining captives held in Gaza, while the rest would be released when an agreement was reached on a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas condemned Israel’s actions, saying the “decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement”. The group reiterated their calls for Israel to implement phase two of the deal as outlined by the terms signed in January.Â
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hailed the suspension, calling for fighting to continue “until Hamas is destroyed or completely surrenders” and captives are released.
The siege on the Strip comes as Palestinians marked the first day of Ramadan since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January.
Most families in Gaza are still reeling from Israel’s war on the enclave, and continue to search for loved ones amid the vast destruction. A table stretching hundreds of meters could be seen in southern Gaza on Saturday as families gathered to break their first fast amid the rubble from Israel’s assault.
Despite the ceasefire coming into effect, Israel continued with its assault on the enclave killing a Palestinian man and wounding several others, after an airstrike targeted civilians east of Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israel’s assaults in West Bank continue
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continued its over-month-long assault on the occupied West Bank, carrying out raids, destroying homes, and displacing Palestinians.
Israeli forces raided and took control of a building in Tulkarem as its assault entered its 35th consecutive day, while also raiding homes in the Tulkarem refugee camp, according to the official Palestinian Wafa news agency.Â
In the nearby Nur Shams camp, the army set fire to homes and forced residents to evacuate.
In Jenin, the army expanded its assault which has been ongoing for 41 consecutive days, bringing in tanks and armoured vehicles to the central part of the camp. Bulldozers and military reinforcements remain in the area.
Israeli forces also stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on the first night of Ramadan, forcing worshipers out as they were praying Taraweeh night prayers.
Israel’s war on Gaza has destroyed much of the enclave’s infrastructure, with the government media office stating the deal toll has reached at least 61,709 people. An additional 111,803 others have been wounded since 7 October 2023.Â
