Israel announced on Sunday that it has suspended the entry of supplies into Gaza, warning Hamas of “consequences” if it refuses to accept a proposed extension of the temporary truce.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that, from this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be suspended,” his office said in a statement.
The statement also stressed, “Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas persists with its refusal, there will be other consequences.”
Hamas strongly condemned the move, calling it a “war crime” and accusing Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The first 42-day phase of the truce recently concluded, and discussions about extending it are ongoing.
The proposed extension, according to Netanyahu’s office, was put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. The plan would extend the truce through Ramadan, ending at Passover in mid-April. Under the proposal, half of the hostages still held in Gaza would be released immediately, with the rest to be freed at the end of the extension if a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached.
Hamas denounced Netanyahu’s decision, stating, “The decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement.” The group has advocated for moving to the second phase of the truce, which includes the release of all remaining hostages and a long-term cessation of hostilities.
Following Israel’s announcement, Netanyahu’s spokesperson, Omer Dostri, confirmed on X, “No trucks entered Gaza this morning, nor will they at this stage.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key member of Netanyahu’s coalition, praised the decision to suspend aid. “Stopping aid until Hamas is destroyed or completely surrenders and all our hostages are freed is an important step in the right direction,” he said on Telegram, calling for an intensified military campaign “until total victory” over Hamas. He added, “We have remained in government to ensure this.”
In response, Hamas called on “mediators and the international community to pressure” Israel to reverse what it described as “punitive, immoral measures against more than two million people in the Gaza Strip.”
The war, which has lasted more than 15 months, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that the territory was on the brink of famine before the ceasefire allowed increased aid deliveries. With Israel’s decision to halt supplies, concerns over the humanitarian situation continue to grow.
