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’s 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’s obstruction of negotiations for the second phase.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that “as of this morning, the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted.”
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 “the 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.”
The statement emphasized that the decision constitutes a “flagrant 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.”
Egypt also condemned Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “strongly condemns the Israeli government’s decision to block humanitarian aid and close crossings used for relief efforts.”
The ministry asserted that “these actions blatantly violate the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and all religious principles.”
The Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in August 1949, provides humanitarian protections for civilians in war zones.
Egypt stressed that “there 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.”
Cairo called on the international community to “fulfill its responsibilities to end all unlawful and inhumane practices targeting civilians and to condemn attempts to use innocent lives for political leverage.”
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry also issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s decision to cut off aid and close crossings into Gaza, labeling it a “blatant breach of international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during war.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said “the Israeli government’s decision represents a grave violation of the ceasefire agreement and risks reigniting the conflict in Gaza.”
Qudah emphasized that “Israel must end its use of starvation as a weapon against Palestinians and innocent civilians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.”
He urged the international community to “uphold 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.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel’s decision, denouncing it as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The ministry reaffirmed its “categorical rejection of Israel’s use of food as a weapon of war in Gaza and the starvation of civilians.”
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 “cheap blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant coup against the ceasefire agreement.”
It urged mediators and the global community to “pressure the (Israeli) occupation and stop its punitive and immoral actions against more than 2 million people in Gaza.”
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’s 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.
