Israel has come under fire after it halted all food and other supplies into Gaza on Sunday and warned of “further consequences” for Hamas if a fragile ceasefire is not extended.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of violating humanitarian law by using starvation as a weapon.
The first phase of the ceasefire was accompanied by a significant increase in humanitarian aid after months of increasing hunger.
On Sunday, hours after the first phase ended, Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the next stage of talks and described Israel's decision to cut off aid as a “war crime and a flagrant attack” on the year-long ceasefire agreed in January.
In a second phase, Hamas would release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. Phase two talks were supposed to begin a month ago.
Israel said Sunday that the new U.S. proposal would extend the first phase of the cease-fire through Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that began last weekend, and the Jewish holiday of Passover, which ends on April 20.
Under the proposal, Hamas would release half the hostages on the first day and the rest when a permanent ceasefire is agreed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The militants are holding 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead.
The US has not yet commented on the situation, but Mr Netanyahu said Israel was fully coordinating with the Trump administration and the ceasefire would last only as long as Hamas continued to free hostages.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, noting that the ceasefire had saved many lives, said “any setback in the progress made over the past six weeks risks plunging people back into despair.”
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described Israel's decision as “troubling,” stressing that international humanitarian law clearly requires access to humanitarian aid.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to make efforts to prevent a resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip and called for the immediate return of humanitarian aid to the region and the release of all hostages, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
