Israel Faces Criticism amid Warnings of Famine and Chaos in Gaza
Israel has come under sharp criticism following its decision to halt the entry of food and other aid into Gaza, with warnings of “dire consequences.”
On Sunday, Israel announced a ban on the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza after a six-week truce had allowed essential food and medical supplies into the war-torn territory.
The Israeli decision came as negotiations to extend the truce reached a deadlock, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted 42 days.
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Mediators Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law by “using starvation as a weapon.”
This move led to trucks loaded with goods piling up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, according to footage from Agence France-Presse.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the decision, stating that “there is no justification, circumstance, or logic that could allow the use of starvation and siege as weapons against innocent civilians, especially during Ramadan.”
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Saudi Arabia also accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a tool for “blackmail and collective punishment.”
Jordan denounced the decision on Sunday, calling it a “blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement” and warning that it could “rekindle tensions in Gaza.”
UN Warning
Amid the criticism, the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the ceasefire had saved countless lives, warned that “any breakdown of the momentum gained over the past six weeks risks plunging people back into despair.”
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Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Chief Humanitarian Affairs Officer, described Israel’s decision as “alarming,” emphasizing that international humanitarian law mandates that aid must be allowed to reach civilians.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza. He also called for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages, according to his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
Meanwhile, five NGOs petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to issue a temporary injunction preventing the government from blocking aid to Gaza, arguing that the move violates Israel’s international obligations.
“Famine and Chaos”
The war has left most of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents dependent on international aid.
Since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began on January 19, approximately 600 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily, easing famine concerns raised by international experts.
However, residents reported rising prices following news of the border closure.
Faiza Nassar, a resident of the heavily damaged Jabalia refugee camp, told the Associated Press that the closure would worsen already dire conditions.
“There will be famine and chaos,” she warned.
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New Proposal
On Sunday, Israel accepted a U.S. compromise extending the ceasefire for 42 more days under mutual conditions.
The U.S. plan includes a ceasefire extension through Ramadan and Passover, ending on April 20.
Netanyahu confirmed that the truce would only continue as long as Hamas released hostages.
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