Israel halts aid into Gaza amid escalating tensions in the “ceasefire” negotiations with Hamas .

Israel prevented aid trucks from entering Gaza on Sunday, March 2, amid escalating tensions over a truce that has maintained peace for six weeks, with Hamas urging Egyptian and Qatari mediators to step in. 

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that it had accepted a proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover, shortly after the initial phase of the previously established ceasefire lapsed. 

“If finalized, the truce would suspend hostilities until the end of Ramadan on March 31 and the Jewish Passover around April 20, contingent upon Hamas releasing half of the hostages, both living and deceased, on the first day, with the remainder to be released if a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. “

Hamas has expressed its commitment to the original ceasefire agreement, which was intended to transition into a second phase aimed at a lasting resolution to the conflict, rejecting any proposal for a temporary extension of the 42-day truce. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said that the group would only release the remaining Israeli hostages according to the terms of the previously established phased agreement. 

The Israeli military reported identifying “suspects” near its forces in northern Gaza who had allegedly planted a bomb, leading to an airstrike to neutralize the threat. 

Egyptian sources indicated that the Israeli delegation in Cairo had proposed a 42-day extension of the first phase, while Hamas insisted on progressing to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Spokesman Hazem Qassem reiterated on Saturday that Hamas rejected Israel’s proposed extension of the initial phase.

In the initial phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages along with five Thais in an unexpected move, in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli custody, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain positions in Gaza.

The second phase was supposed to initiate discussions regarding the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a definitive conclusion to the conflict.

However, negotiations did not commence, with Israel asserting that all hostages must be returned before hostilities cease.

Netanyahu’s office emphasized that a ceasefire would not be permitted without the release of the hostages, leading to a suspension of all goods and supplies entering Gaza, with warnings of further repercussions if Hamas continues to refuse.

Hamas criticized Israel’s actions as “blackmail” and a “blatant coup against the agreement,” urging mediators to compel Israel to meet its obligations under the terms of the ceasefire.

They insisted that the only path to securing the hostages’ return is through adherence to the agreement and the initiation of discussions for the second phase.

Israeli officials announced that a delegation would travel to Cairo to explore options for reducing tensions and maintaining the ceasefire. 

During a press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said  that Palestinians in Gaza would not receive goods without conditions, asserting that further negotiations should be contingent upon the release of the hostages.

The United States has expressed its comprehension of Israel’s choice to restrict the flow of goods into Gaza, attributing the ongoing impasse in negotiations to Hamas. 

In the last six weeks, both parties have leveled accusations against each other regarding violations of the agreement. 

Hamas’s assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, instigated Israel’s military response in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, marking the deadliest single day in Israel’s history, and leading to the abduction of 251 people into Gaza as hostages.