GAZA, Mar 3 (NNN-WAFA) – The Israeli regime’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza has sparked fierce condemnation from Palestinian factions, regional countries, and international organisations.
At the start of a cabinet meeting yesterday, the inhuman Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said, the decision “to prevent any entry of goods and supplies into Gaza” was made, to pressure Hamas into accepting a new proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, which he said was put forth by U.S. Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff.
He haughtily warned that, Hamas would face “additional consequences,” if it did not agree to the proposal.
In response, Hamas condemned the decision, calling it in a statement, a “blatant attempt to renege on the agreement, and evade negotiations for its second phase.” Hamas said, blocking aid to Gaza’s two million residents was “cheap blackmail and a war crime” and urged mediators and the international community to press Israel to reverse the decision.
Mahmoud Meedawi, a senior Hamas official, said in a press statement that, Hamas refused to extend the first phase of the agreement with Israel, stressing the need to implement all its phases as originally signed.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called the decision “a flagrant violation of the ceasefire” and an indication that Israel seeks to evade the second phase of the agreement.
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine also condemned the decision, calling it an escalation of Israel’s “starvation warfare” against Gaza’s population, which will only deepen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Islamic Jihad called the decision “a crime against humanity” in a press statement. It accused the United States of shielding Israel as it continues to provide military aid and political cover.
Faisal Aranki, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Executive Committee, said that Israel’s decision will worsen Gaza’s already severe shortages of essential goods and medical supplies.
“The Israeli regime bears full responsibility for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, due to its violations of the ceasefire agreement and its obstruction of aid deliveries,” Aranki said, urging international pressure on Israel to reopen the border crossings.
In a press statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry warned of the decision’s catastrophic consequences, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
“We strongly reject the politicisation of humanitarian aid and its use as a tool for extortion,” it said, calling on the international community to hold Israel accountable and ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, said yesterday that, using aid as a weapon of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza is unacceptable and impermissible, affirming that this act represents a blatant and explicit violation of international humanitarian law.
At a joint press conference in Cairo with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, Abdelatty reaffirmed the importance of fully and faithfully implementing the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Gaza.
The regime’s decision constitutes a flagrant breach of the ceasefire agreement, and a blatant violation of international law, and poses a serious threat of renewed escalation in the region, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, yesterday.
The ministry emphasised the urgent need for Israel to cease using starvation as a weapon against Palestinians and innocent civilians, by imposing a blockade, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.
It also called on the international community to compel Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement, ensure the implementation of all its phases, and reopen the crossings designated for delivering humanitarian aid to all areas of Gaza.
According to a UN statement, posted yesterday on social media platform X, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called for “humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza immediately and for the release of all hostages,” and urged “all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza.”
Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, called Israel’s decision “alarming” on X.
“International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid. We can’t roll back the progress of the past 42 days. We need to get aid in and the hostages out. The ceasefire must hold,” he wrote.
The ceasefire has “saved countless lives and provided a glimmer of hope amid immense suffering” and “is essential to prevent the region from plunging back into despair,” Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said in a statement, yesterday.– NNN-WAFA
