Ceasefire dispute escalates: Israel suspends Gaza aid, Hamas alleges 'War Crime'

Israel declared on Sunday that humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip would stop if Hamas refuse to endorse the extension of the existing truce ending Palestinian city battles. Hamas declared the Gaza aid stoppages as an act that violated international law. The Prime Minister’s office of Israel warned about further impacts if Hamas decides against accepting the United States’ proposal for continuing the temporary truce but failed to specify the exact nature of these future consequences.

Violated international law

The first phase of the ceasefire ended on Saturday following the increased supply of humanitarian assistance. The arrangements for the second stage containing hostage liberation in exchange for Israeli military withdrawal and enduring truce conditions have not taken place yet. Israel endorsed a prolonged US-backed truce spanning from Ramadan together with Passover until April 20. The US representative Steve Witkoff proposed that Hamas would free half of the hostages right away as part of the arrangement while all remaining hostages would gain their freedom when permanent peace emerged.

Hamas's current strategic objective

The proposal originated from US envoy Steve Witkoff after he developed the belief that both parties remained incapable of reaching an agreement on war cessation and needed extended talks about establishing a longstanding ceasefire. Second Phase Of Ceasefire represents Hamas's current strategic objective. The peace mediation involving Egypt and Qatar along with US representatives remains silent regarding the recent proposal. Hamas also fails to respond to the diplomatic proposition. The negotiating member from the group avoided media interviews to explain that the group previously rejected Israel's proposed 42-day extension to the first phase because it conflicted with the original truce terms. Phase two negotiations must begin without armed conflict under the conditions of the truce accord.

Hamas alongside Egypt and Qatar

Hamas alongside Egypt and Qatar sought to maintain the current ceasefire agreement which they did not approve of the Israeli offer for extending the ceasefire through four weeks accompanied by weekly hostage releases without beginning discussions about the next phase as explained by an Egyptian official. The initial stage lasting 15 months of Gaza conflict resulted in the liberation of 33 hostages along with eight dead bodies by exchanging them for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. After Israelis pulled their forces to establish buffer zones and aid volumes into the territory improved northern Gazans started to go back to their homes. Israel confirms that 32 individuals among the remaining 59 hostages at Gaza are deceased. The second phase negotiation process was planned to start early during the first week of February. The Israeli population gathered across the nation on Saturday night to implore their government to maintain the deal.