Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are expressing growing concerns over Israel’s decision to halt the entry of food and other supplies into the region. Many fear that this move will only worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis faced by the population. Displaced Palestinians from Rafah have described the situation as a potential “genocide,” with little hope for improvement.
The United Nations and other aid organizations have criticized Israel’s decision, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher calling it “alarming.” The aid provided during the ceasefire’s first phase was already insufficient to meet the region’s needs. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal and international humanitarian law by using starvation as a weapon.
Israel has defended its decision, citing Hamas’ refusal to accept a temporary extension of the ceasefire as the reason behind the move. The proposed agreement would see Hamas releasing Israeli hostages and negotiations for a permanent ceasefire taking place over a set period. However, Hamas insists on immediate talks for the ceasefire’s second phase.
The war, which began with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in October, has left Gaza’s population heavily reliant on international aid. With negotiations for the ceasefire’s next phase set to take place, the situation in Gaza remains dire as Palestinians brace for further challenges ahead.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
