Several Arab states and the UN have condemned Israel for blocking the entry of all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher described it as alarming. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar released statements criticizing the move. Israel\u2019s decision to halt the entry of aid shipments came hours after the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel expired and Israel\u2019s obstruction of negotiations for the second phase. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office announced that \u201cas of this morning, the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted.\u201d Netanyahu’s stance drew sharp criticism from the families of hostages, politicians and regional governments. Yair Golan, the leader of the Democrats Party, accused Netanyahu’s government of evading negotiations on the second phase of the agreement. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said \u201cthe Kingdom condemns and denounces the decision by the Israeli occupation government to halt humanitarian aid to Gaza, using it as a tool of blackmail and collective punishment.\u201d The statement emphasized that the decision constitutes a \u201cflagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the principles of international humanitarian law amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people.\u201d Egypt also condemned Israel\u2019s blocking of humanitarian aid, calling it a \u201cflagrant violation\u201d of the ceasefire agreement. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it \u201cstrongly condemns the Israeli government\u2019s decision to block humanitarian aid and close crossings used for relief efforts.\u201d The ministry asserted that \u201cthese actions blatantly violate the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and all religious principles.\u201d The Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in August 1949, provides humanitarian protections for civilians in war zones. Egypt stressed that \u201cthere is no justification, condition, or rationale that permits the use of starvation and siege as a weapon against innocent civilians, particularly during (the Muslim fasting month of) Ramadan.\u201d Cairo called on the international community to \u201cfulfill its responsibilities to end all unlawful and inhumane practices targeting civilians and to condemn attempts to use innocent lives for political leverage.\u201d Jordan\u2019s Foreign Ministry also issued a strong condemnation of Israel\u2019s decision to cut off aid and close crossings into Gaza, labeling it a \u201cblatant breach of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during war.\u201d Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said \u201cthe Israeli government\u2019s decision represents a grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and risks reigniting the conflict in Gaza.\u201d Qudah emphasized that \u201cIsrael must end its use of starvation as a weapon against Palestinians and innocent civilians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.\u201d He urged the international community to \u201cuphold its legal and moral responsibilities by compelling Israel to abide by the ceasefire agreement, implement all its phases, and reopen crossings to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid across Gaza, which is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.\u201d Qatar\u2019s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel\u2019s decision, denouncing it as a \u201cblatant violation\u201d of the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. The ministry reaffirmed its \u201ccategorical rejection of Israel\u2019s use of food as a weapon of war in Gaza and the starvation of civilians.\u201d Qatar called on the international community to pressure Israel into ensuring the safe, sustainable and unobstructed entry of aid into all parts of Gaza. In response to the aid suspension, Hamas called the move \u201ccheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant coup against the ceasefire agreement.\u201d It urged mediators and the global community to \u201cpressure the (Israeli) occupation and stop its punitive and immoral actions against more than 2 million people in Gaza.\u201d The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19, officially ended at midnight on Saturday. However, Israel has not agreed to move forward to the second phase of the deal to bring an end to the war in Gaza. Netanyahu had sought to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of as many Israeli captives as possible without offering anything in return or fulfilling the military and humanitarian obligations of the agreement. Hamas has refused to proceed under these conditions, insisting that Israel abide by the terms of the ceasefire and immediately start negotiations for the second phase, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war. The ceasefire agreement has halted Israel\u2019s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 48,380 people, mostly women and children, and left the enclave in ruins. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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