GAZA: Israel will not allow any humanitarian aid to enter Gaza as a form of pressure on Hamas, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday.
The announcement comes as ceasefire negotiations continue, with international mediators attempting to broker a deal to end months of violence in the region.
Defence Minister Gallant made it clear that withholding aid is a strategic move aimed at leveraging Hamas during the ongoing talks. “No aid will be allowed into Gaza until there is progress in the release of hostages and other humanitarian concerns,” Gallant stated, referencing the hostages still held in Gaza since the start of the conflict.
Israel's hardline stance is being interpreted as a negotiating tactic amid ongoing discussions involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. These talks focus on a ceasefire plan that includes the temporary cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s civilian population.
The latest round of negotiations follows mounting pressure from the international community for an end to the crisis and for the delivery of critical supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel, to the besieged enclave. The United Nations and several aid agencies have repeatedly warned of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where millions of residents are facing dire shortages.
While talks continue, the situation on the ground remains tense. Sporadic airstrikes and shelling have been reported in parts of Gaza, and Israeli forces continue to maintain a tight blockade around the territory.
Hamas has yet to publicly respond to the aid restriction, but sources familiar with the negotiations suggest that the group views the move as an added pressure to meet Israeli conditions for a ceasefire.
International mediators remain cautiously optimistic about reaching an agreement, but Israel’s latest decision to halt aid shipments could complicate efforts to find common ground. Humanitarian organizations continue to urge both sides to prioritize the well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire
