Israel blocks aid to Gaza as first phase of ceasefire ends; extension demanded

TEL AVIV: Israel has blocked all aid deliveries to Gaza. This comes after the first phase of the ceasefire expired early this morning, Indian time. The second phase of the ceasefire, which will last six weeks, was supposed to come into effect today. However, negotiations regarding this did not succeed. Israel is demanding that the first phase be extended for another 42 days and that the hostages be released during this period. Israel stopped the aid deliveries after Hamas rejected this. Hamas is demanding that the second phase of the ceasefire begin.

Hamas says it will release all prisoners in the second phase, but Israel must withdraw completely from Gaza in return. Israel does not agree to a complete withdrawal from Gaza. Therefore, Israel is trying to release as many prisoners as possible without going into the second phase.

Hamas demanded that the mediator countries intervene immediately in the matter. Meanwhile, Hamas accused Israel of shooting and killing four people. Israel responded by saying that they tried to plant bombs near the soldiers.

What Israel says

• Since the second phase has not been agreed upon, the US has put forward a proposal. Israel is in favour of it. The US proposal is to extend the ceasefire until the Ramadan and Passover holidays (until April 20).
• Talks on a permanent ceasefire are possible in the meantime. The proposal calls for Hamas to release about half of the surviving hostages on the first day and the rest to be transferred at regular intervals. It is believed that 63 hostages are in Gaza. Of these, 39 may have been killed.

• Original agreement as follows
• The first phase of the three-phase Gaza ceasefire agreement came into effect on January 19 after 15 months of war. The agreement, which was drafted at the suggestion of former US President Joe Biden
• Hamas handed over 33 Israeli hostages. Israel released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• The agreement states that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza should be achieved in the second phase, with the release of all hostages. It was agreed to start negotiations for this from the 16th day of the first phase, but did not yield results
• The third phase is the reconstruction of Gaza

Israel is blackmailing us. The move is to sabotage the original agreement.

- Hamas

There will be serious consequences if Hamas does not agree to extend the first phase.

- Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister