On Sunday, Israel reinstated its blockade, halting all humanitarian aid and warning of further consequences if Hamas rejects a US proposal to extend the ceasefire's first phase. At the same time, Hamas accused Israel of derailing the truce, calling the aid blockade "cheap extortion, a war crime, and a blatant attack" on the ceasefire.
The ceasefire's first phase, which allowed a surge of aid to ease near-famine conditions in Gaza, expired on Saturday. Israel's decision to block aid disrupts the agreed transition to the second phase, which was set to include talks on a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and an end to the war.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with regulations, an Israeli official told AP the decision was made in coordination with the Trump administration.
In February, US envoy Steve Witkoff proposed a 42-day extension, demanding Hamas release half of the remaining Israeli captives without assurances that Israel would not resume its war or withdraw.
Hamas has rejected an extension, stating it is prepared to release all captives in Phase 2—but only in exchange for more Palestinian prisoner releases, a permanent ceasefire, and Israel's complete withdrawal.
Here are some reactions to Israel's aid blockade:
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on Sunday for Israel to "end its suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza immediately." A UN statement posted on X read: "The Secretary-General urges all parties to make every effort to prevent a return to hostilities in Gaza. He calls for humanitarian aid to flow back into Gaza immediately and for the release of all hostages."
The head of the UN humanitarian agency also denounced Israel's suspension of vital aid. "Israel's decision to halt aid into Gaza is alarming. International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid," OCHA head Thomas Fletcher said on X.
The United Nations Children's Fund warned that the blockade is forcing Gazan pregnant women to give birth in dire conditions while hospitals struggle to keep newborns alive. "A lasting ceasefire and continuous aid are the only way to ensure mothers and babies get the care they need," UNICEF said in a post on X.
UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram said via video, standing next to an incubator with a preterm baby at a north Gaza hospital, "Imagine being pregnant during the war in Gaza and struggling to stay alive, to keep yourself healthy and keep your unborn child healthy... We need to make sure that the ceasefire holds and that aid continues to come into Gaza for this baby and all the other children like him."
The International Committee of the Red Cross urged every effort to preserve the truce so that humanitarian aid can enter Gaza and more families can be reunited, saying, "The ceasefire agreement has saved countless lives and offered a beacon of hope amid unimaginable suffering."
"Any unravelling of the forward momentum created over the last six weeks risks plunging people back into despair," the ICRC said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, MSF/Doctors Without Borders strongly denounced Israel's announcement to block aid. "Humanitarian aid should never be used as a tool of war," said Caroline Seguin, emergency coordinator for MSF.
She added, "Israel is once again blocking an entire population from receiving aid, using it as a bargaining chip. This is unacceptable, outrageous, and will have devastating consequences."
According to MSF, while the overall number of trucks entering Gaza has increased since the ceasefire began, restrictions on critical supplies continue to hamper the humanitarian response. Most aid consists of food and fuel—far short of meeting the people's immense needs.
UK-based humanitarian charity- Humanity First UK warned, "With the closure of all aid into Gaza this morning, the situation for the already suffering people will be catastrophic. We must keep the humanitarian lifeline open."
British MP and Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn denounced the Israeli decision to block aid during the first days of Ramadan in a post on X, saying: "Israel has chosen to mark the first days of Ramadan by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. Still, our government refuses to implement sanctions and defend international law."
"There is no other way of putting it: this is a resumption of genocide — and our government is complicit," he stressed.
Ireland's Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris expressed deep concern on X, saying: "I am very concerned at reports Israel has halted humanitarian aid entering into Gaza. Recent weeks saw a much-needed increase in aid reaching people in Gaza. Any threat to that poses a serious risk to people's lives."
Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said, "Humanitarian aid, which is unconditional, must continue to flow in Gaza. We recall the ever urgent need for sustained access and funding – along with a lasting ceasefire, in line with fundamental rules of international humanitarian law."
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