Several Arab countries and rights groups have condemned Israel’s decision to halt delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip, calling it a blatant violation of ceasefire agreements and international law by using hunger as a weapon.
Israel blocked entry to Gaza on Sunday hours after the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Palestinian groups, causing fear of hunger and more difficulties in the holy month of Ramadan, which began over the weekend.
Egypt and Qatar, which mediated consultations between Hamas and Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have issued statements criticizing Israel’s move to block food, medicines and fuels into strips.
In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the Israeli government’s decision to block close intersections with humanitarian assistance used in relief efforts.”
The ministry said the action violated the Fourth Geneva Convention and “all religious principles.” The 4th Geneva Congress, adopted in 1949, provides humanitarian protection to civilians in war zones.
On Sunday night, Qatar denounced the decision to block Israeli aid in Gaza, highlighting “a steady refusal to use the weapons of war and the use of food as a civilian starvation.”
“We are calling on the international community to mandate Israel to ensure a safe and sustainable entry in humanitarian aid without obstacles,” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “the kingdom will condemn and condemn the Israeli occupation government’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and use it as a tool for intimidation and group punishment.”
He said the decision was “a direct attack on the principles of international humanitarian law amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people.”
Jordan said Israel’s moves are threatening to “rekindle the situation in the sector.”
“We emphasize the need for Israel to stop using hunger as a weapon against Palestinians and innocent people,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Reporting from Gaza city, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said Israel is again using “food and water as weapons of war for political gain.”
“For example, when it comes to water, 80% of Gaza’s reservoirs have been completely destroyed along with desalination infrastructure, so we are completely dependent on trucks carrying water,” Mahmoud said.
“On the other hand, hospitals are still struggling, and with the decision to put all the aid in Gaza, including medical supplies, they are likely to continue to struggle to provide care to vulnerable groups,” he added.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Association stated:
Angelita Carrida, regional director of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Middle East and North Africa, said the bloc of aid to Gaza would push civilians “beyond collapse.”
“The Israeli government must quickly reverse this decision. International actors must do everything in their power to ensure access to Gaza, so that aid will reach those in need without further delays or confusion,” Caredda said in a statement.
Hamas rejects new ceasefire proposal
Hamas on Monday accused Israel of trying to derail the next phase of the ceasefire talks, calling for Israel’s decision to cut off “war crimes and blatant attacks” on the ceasefire that it negotiated for a year before it was held in January.
On Sunday, Israel said it supports a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire through Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holidays, which ends on April 20.
Under that proposal, Hamas would release half of its prisoners on the first day, with the rest freeing the remainder when a permanent ceasefire is reached, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
However, Hamas rejected the proposal and said that he would simply release the prisoners of war in accordance with the original terms of the agreement.
The ceasefire contract halted Israel’s war with Gaza, killing more than 48,380 people, mostly women and children, leaving the enclaves abandoned.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant to Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Joab Gallant, for war crimes and crimes in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case in the International Court of Justice due to its war with the enclave.
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