Janice R. Andrews
Israel has come under intense international criticism after it blocked the flow of all humanitarian aid and essential goods into Gaza. The decision, which has been condemned as a violation of international humanitarian law, comes amid a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The move has raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave, with accusations that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war.
The ceasefire, which went into effect on January 19, was intended to pave the way for a three-phase agreement aimed at de-escalating the conflict. The first phase, which included a surge in humanitarian aid, expired recently, and negotiations for the second phase have stalled. The second phase was supposed to involve the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. However, no progress has been made, and Israel’s decision to cut off aid has further complicated the situation.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned Israel’s actions, stating that the use of aid as a tool for collective punishment is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. “The use of aid as a weapon of collective punishment and starvation must not, cannot, or should not be allowed or accepted,” he said. Abdelatty urged all parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement and ensure the full flow of aid into Gaza.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group governing Gaza, accused Israel of attempting to derail the ceasefire and called the aid blockade “cheap extortion, a war crime, and a blatant attack.” The group claimed it had fulfilled its obligations under the first phase of the agreement and presented a proposal to begin the second phase. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas’s conditions for a permanent ceasefire as “totally unacceptable.”
Netanyahu defended Israel’s decision to halt aid, alleging that Hamas has been stealing supplies meant for civilians to fund its military operations. “We’ve done that because Hamas steals the supplies and prevents the people of Gaza from getting them. It uses these supplies to finance its terror machine, which is aimed directly at Israel and our civilians – and this we cannot accept,” he said.
The United Nations and several international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, have strongly condemned Israel’s actions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel to immediately restore the flow of aid into Gaza and urged all parties to prevent a return to hostilities. “The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, and the blockade of aid will only exacerbate the suffering of civilians,” Guterres said.
The conflict in Gaza has already caused immense devastation. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel. That attack left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken to Gaza. Israeli bombardment has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, with the UN estimating that 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
The international community is now urging both sides to return to negotiations and prioritize the well-being of civilians. The US has proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, which would include the release of half of the remaining hostages. However, with trust between the parties at an all-time low, the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will end the bloodshed and alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
