On Sunday, Israel blocked the entry of trucks into Gaza amid tensions over a ceasefire that had halted hostilities for the past six weeks. Hamas called on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene following Israel’s decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office previously stated that it had adopted a proposal from US President Donald Trump’s advisor, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza after Ramadan and a proposed extension period. This came hours after the first phase of the previously agreed ceasefire ended. If accepted, the ceasefire would have lasted until the end of Ramadan fasting (around March 31) and Jewish Passover (around April 20).
The proposed ceasefire would have been contingent on Hamas releasing half of the living and dead hostages on the first day, with the remainder released at the end if a permanent ceasefire agreement were reached. However, Hamas maintained its commitment to the original ceasefire agreement, which was set to move to its second phase, involving negotiations for a permanent end to the war. The group rejected the idea of extending the initial 42-day ceasefire.
Egyptian sources reported on Friday that the Israeli delegation in Cairo sought to extend the first phase by 42 days, while Hamas insisted on advancing to the second phase of the agreement. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem reiterated on Saturday that the group refused to comply with Israel’s efforts to extend the first phase.
### Trucks Barred from Entering Gaza
On Sunday, trucks were halted on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel would not allow a ceasefire without the release of its hostages and halted the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza. “If Hamas persists in its rejection, there will be other consequences,” the statement added.
Hamas condemned Israel’s move as “blackmail” and a “clear violation of the agreement.” The group urged mediators to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations, emphasizing that the only way to secure the release of hostages was to adhere to the original agreement and begin negotiations for the second phase. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Israel’s decision to block aid would impact ceasefire talks, stressing that his group “does not respond to pressures.”
Egypt, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, condemned the closure and accused Israel of using “starvation as a weapon.” Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for the immediate implementation of the second phase of the existing ceasefire agreement.
### Stalled Negotiations and Wider Tensions
The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, saw Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails. Israeli troops also withdrew from some positions in Gaza. The second phase was intended to initiate negotiations for the release of the remaining 59 hostages, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent end to the war.
However, talks have yet to begin, with Israel insisting that all hostages must be returned before it halts its military campaign. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not receive aid without further progress in negotiations tied to the release of hostages. He added that the United States “understands” Israel’s decision to block aid and blamed Hamas for the current impasse.
Since the ceasefire began, hundreds of trucks had entered Gaza daily. “People are afraid. Life here is unbearable,” said Sayed Al-Dairi, a Gaza resident.
### Ongoing Hostilities and Humanitarian Crisis
Over the past six weeks, both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Despite repeated hiccups, the agreement remained in place as hostage and prisoner exchanges were completed in the first phase. On Saturday, Hamas’s armed wing released a video showing Israeli hostages still in its custody, reiterating that the remaining hostages would only be freed through a swap agreement as outlined in the original ceasefire deal.
Gaza’s health officials report that Israel’s military campaign has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and left much of the territory in ruins. Israel’s invasion of Gaza was prompted by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage—the deadliest single day in Israel’s history.
### Divisions Over Post-War Governance
Significant disagreements remain over the post-war administration of Gaza. Israel insists that Hamas cannot play any role in Gaza’s future and that its military and control structures must be dismantled. Israel also opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, to Gaza.
Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, has stated it does not insist on retaining power but demands a say in any future administration. The situation has been further complicated by former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population and transform the enclave into a real estate project under US ownership.
The blockade of aid and the stalled negotiations have left Gaza’s population in a state of uncertainty, with many fearing a return to full-scale conflict.
