Escalating Tensions Threaten Gaza Ceasefire as Aid Blocked and Negotiations Stall
The fragile ceasefire in Gaza, which has provided a temporary respite from intense fighting for the past six weeks, is teetering on the brink of collapse. Israel’s decision to block the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip on Sunday has significantly escalated tensions, triggering strong reactions from Hamas and raising serious concerns about the future of the truce.
The move comes as both sides remain deeply divided on the next steps, with Hamas advocating for a transition to the second phase of the originally agreed ceasefire, which includes negotiations for a permanent end to the war, while Israel insists on the unconditional release of all remaining hostages before any further progress can be made.
According to reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the adoption of a proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary extension of the ceasefire over the Ramadan and Passover periods. This proposed extension, conditional on Hamas releasing half of the living and dead hostages on the first day and the remainder upon reaching an agreement for a permanent ceasefire, has been rejected by Hamas.
Hamas maintains its commitment to the original agreement, which envisioned a second phase involving comprehensive negotiations on the release of remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a definitive end to the conflict. Spokesman Hazem Qassem stated that the group rejected Israel’s proposal for extending the first phase.
Adding to the volatility of the situation, reports surfaced of Israeli gunfire resulting in the deaths of four Palestinians in separate incidents across the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military responded by claiming to have identified suspects planting a bomb near its troops in northern Gaza, leading to an airstrike to "eliminate the threat."
Egyptian sources indicated that during negotiations in Cairo, the Israeli delegation sought to extend the initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire, while Hamas pushed for the commencement of the second phase. The deadlock in negotiations has fueled mutual accusations of violating the ceasefire agreement, despite the successful completion of the initial hostage-for-prisoner exchange.
In the first phase, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails, along with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain areas within Gaza. However, the subsequent phases, intended to address the core issues of a permanent ceasefire and the future of Gaza, have remained elusive.
Netanyahu’s office has issued a firm statement emphasizing that Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of all hostages. The statement further declared the cessation of all goods and supplies entering the Gaza Strip, warning of "additional consequences" if Hamas refuses to comply.
Hamas has strongly condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as "blackmail" and a "blatant coup against the agreement." The group has urged Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene and exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations under the agreement, emphasizing that adherence to the agreed-upon framework and the initiation of talks for the second phase are the only viable means of securing the hostages’ release.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri warned that the suspension of goods would negatively impact ceasefire talks, asserting that his group "doesn’t respond to pressures." Despite the escalating tensions, Israeli officials later indicated that a delegation would travel to Cairo to discuss ways to defuse the situation and preserve the ceasefire.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, speaking at a news conference, stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not receive goods "for free" and that further negotiations should be contingent on the release of the hostages. He also claimed that the United States "understands" Israel’s decision to halt the entry of goods into Gaza, attributing the current impasse to Hamas’s intransigence.
Underlying the immediate crisis are fundamental disagreements regarding a lasting resolution to the conflict. Key issues include the nature of a postwar administration in Gaza and the future role, if any, of Hamas. Israel adamantly insists that Hamas cannot participate in the future governance of Gaza and that its military and governing structures must be dismantled. It also rejects the involvement of the Palestinian Authority, which currently exercises limited governance in the occupied West Bank.
Hamas, while indicating that it would not necessarily insist on continuing to rule Gaza, has maintained that it must be consulted on any future administrative arrangements.
Adding another layer of complexity, Trump’s previously floated proposal to remove the Palestinian population from Gaza and transform the coastal enclave into a U.S.-owned property project continues to generate controversy and uncertainty.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has had devastating consequences for both sides. The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel and the abduction of 251 hostages. The ensuing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, the displacement of nearly the entire population of 2.3 million, and widespread destruction.
Israel maintains that Hamas must be eradicated to ensure its security, while Hamas argues that it is acting in defense of Palestinian rights and against Israeli occupation. The deep-seated mistrust and conflicting demands have repeatedly stymied efforts to achieve a lasting peace. The current escalation, marked by the blocking of aid to Gaza, underscores the precariousness of the ceasefire and the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.
