Gaza, March 2, 2025: Israel has halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza after the first phase of its ceasefire deal with Hamas expired, citing the militant group’s refusal to accept a US-backed extension.
The initial phase of the truce, which began in mid-January, facilitated the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, with its expiration on Saturday, Israel sought to extend the arrangement to continue the exchange of hostages and prisoners while increasing aid deliveries into Gaza. Currently, an estimated 24 Israeli hostages remain alive in captivity.
Hamas, however, has insisted on moving to the second phase of the agreement, accusing Israel of manipulating negotiations. The proposed extension—covering the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover—was backed by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed on Sunday that all goods and supply shipments to Gaza have been halted.
“With the completion of Phase A of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for continuing the talks—which Israel had agreed to—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be stopped,” the statement read.
Netanyahu warned that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire without the release of hostages, cautioning Hamas that continued refusal could lead to further consequences.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated that Israel is open to negotiations for the second phase but emphasized that there was no automatic transition between phases under the initial agreement.
“As the first phase has ended, we have halted the entry of trucks into Gaza. We wouldn’t do it for free,” Sa’ar stated at a press conference.
After nearly 17 months of war, much of Gaza has been devastated, with over 45,000 casualties and dire living conditions for its residents. Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Omer Dostri confirmed that no humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday.
Palestinian officials condemned Israel’s decision. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestine National Initiative, called it a “dangerous Israeli escalation and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Hamas described the move as “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime.” Dr. Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director General of Hamas’ Government Media Office, accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a political pressure tool, calling it a “flagrant violation of basic human rights.”
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi insisted that the only path to stability was implementing the second phase of the agreement, which includes a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the enclave’s reconstruction, followed by prisoner releases.
While the original ceasefire agreement allowed for an extension as long as negotiations continued, talks have stalled. An Israeli delegation returned abruptly from Cairo on Friday, raising doubts about the future of discussions.
Hamas released a video on Saturday showing Israeli hostages in captivity, including a scene of freed hostage Iair Horn bidding farewell to his brother Eitan, who remains in Gaza after 512 days. The Horn family authorized the video’s use, urging Israeli leaders not to abandon the deal.
“We demand from the decision-makers: Look Eitan in the eyes. Don’t stop the agreement that has already brought dozens of hostages back to us. They are running out of time! Bring everyone home, now, in one phase,” the family’s statement read.
Israel condemned the video as “cruel psychological warfare.”
The ceasefire, in effect since January, resulted in the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including two men held in Gaza for a decade, as well as five Thai citizens abducted from a kibbutz. Eight bodies were also returned, including those of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, an emotional moment for Israelis.
In exchange, 1,737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed, including 120 women and children. About 1,000 of them had been arrested after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war. Some of the released prisoners had been in Israeli jails for decades.
With negotiations at a standstill and the humanitarian crisis worsening, the next steps remain uncertain.
