Humanitarian aid trucks destined for Gaza were redirected back to Egypt on Sunday after Israel suspended all food and supply shipments, escalating tensions surrounding a fragile ceasefire. Israel issued a warning of “additional consequences” if Hamas did not agree to a new extension of the truce, while Egypt accused Israel of employing starvation as a tactic.
“All parties must fulfill their responsibilities. The use of aid as a means of collective punishment and starvation is unacceptable and must not be tolerated,” stated Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, labeling the action a breach of international humanitarian law.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which commenced on January 19, witnessed a significant increase in aid deliveries. The subsequent phase aims to facilitate the release of remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire, but discussions have reached an impasse. Hamas denounced Israel’s cessation of aid as “a war crime and a blatant violation” of the truce.
The International Committee of the Red Cross cautioned that the collapse of the ceasefire could plunge Gaza’s population of over two million back into crisis. Additionally, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described Israel’s decision as “alarming,” while MSF criticized it as “unacceptable and outrageous.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel was ready to resume military action if negotiations failed to yield results, asserting that the government was fully aligned with President Donald Trump’s administration.
In the meantime, residents of Gaza reported that food prices had doubled as the blockade took effect, heightening concerns of a renewed humanitarian disaster.
