Israel blocks entry of aid into Gaza after first phase of truce ends
- Israel stops the entry of all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and reneges on the truce after the first phase of the ceasefire deal ended without agreement on continuing into a second phase.
- Earlier, Israel announced it would adopt a US-backed proposal for the extension of the ceasefire in Gaza throughout Ramadan and Passover, in exchange for the release of half of the remaining captives in the enclave.
Israel prepared to cut off water, electricity in Gaza: Reports
As Israel mulls its next moves following its decision to block the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in violation of the ceasefire deal it agreed with Hamas, reports are now emerging that the Israelis are planning to also cut electricity and water supplies.
That would drastically worsen the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but according to the Israel Hayom newspaper, the government is willing to cut electricity and water if Hamas does not agree to extend phase one of the ceasefire deal, instead of moving on to phase two.
The newspaper reported that mediators have been given a few days to persuade Hamas to bend to Israel’s demands, but that PM Benjamin Netanyahu was not prepared to agree to ending the war because that would mean Hamas remaining in power.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 14 is reporting that Energy Minister Eli Cohen is planning to request a stop to the supply of electricity to Gaza in the next cabinet meeting.
