Humanitarian Aid Blocked in Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Stall

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza ended without negotiations for the next stage, leading Israel to block humanitarian aid due to Hamas’s rejection of a truce proposal. Hamas condemned this decision while Egypt called it unacceptable. A reconstruction plan for Gaza has been prepared for an upcoming Arab summit, as tensions continue over Israeli hostages and prisoner exchanges.

The initial phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip concluded early Sunday morning without any negotiations for the subsequent phase, which was expected to commence on 3 February. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a cessation of all goods and supplies entering Gaza, attributing this decision to Hamas’s refusal of a temporary truce proposal proposed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

In retaliation, Hamas condemned Netanyahu’s announcement as “cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant violation of the agreement.” The movement urged international mediators to compel Israel to cease its punitive actions against the more than two million civilians residing in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel had accepted a U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan, contingent upon the release of half of the hostages on the first day of the agreement, yet emphasized Hamas’s rejection of the proposal.

Egypt expressed disapproval of Israel’s actions, with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty denouncing the use of aid as a means of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza. He also noted that a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza had been finalized and would be submitted for approval at an emergency Arab summit scheduled for Tuesday. This development coincides with the upcoming visit of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to Israel following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that began on 19 January was designed into three 42-day phases, with stipulations requiring negotiations for the next phase to commence prior to the conclusion of the current phase — a process that Netanyahu has hindered. During the initial phase, 33 Israeli hostages, including eight deceased individuals, were released in exchange for 1,755 Palestinian prisoners.

The Islamic Jihad Movement accused Netanyahu of “reversing the ceasefire agreement” and held him accountable for the repercussions of such actions. Furthermore, the government media office in Gaza criticized Israel’s decision to blockade aid, describing it as “further proof of its failure to uphold its commitments and its deliberate starvation of Gaza’s population.” The office argued that Gaza’s economy has collapsed entirely, leaving the populace utterly reliant on humanitarian assistance due to the shutdown of industries and production sectors amid the ongoing Israeli operations.

The recent developments surrounding the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, marked by Israel’s halt of humanitarian aid and Hamas’s rebuke, underscore the fragility of the peace process. The rejection of a temporary truce proposal and the looming threat of further humanitarian crises exemplify the urgent need for international intervention. Both sides must navigate these challenges with diplomacy to prevent exacerbating the situation for civilians in Gaza.

Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com