Hamas has rejected an Israeli request to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, a senior official confirmed on Sunday, as tensions escalate over aid restrictions and stalled negotiations.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, told Al Jazeera that the militant group would only release the remaining Israeli hostages under the terms of the already agreed-upon phased deal.
The Israeli proposal, backed by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, lasting until April 20. However, Hamas insists on moving to the next phase of negotiations as originally agreed.
Following Hamas’ refusal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced a halt to all goods and supplies entering Gaza, accusing Hamas of rejecting the “Witkoff outline” for extending negotiations.
Hamas denounced the move as “a war crime and a blatant attack” on the truce, which took a year of negotiations before coming into effect in January.
Regional leaders have also condemned Israel’s decision. Egypt’s foreign minister called the blockade an attempt to use “starvation as a weapon” and a “flagrant violation of humanitarian law,” while Saudi Arabia labeled it “a tool of extortion.”
The first phase of the ceasefire, which expired on Saturday, had allowed a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, negotiations for the second phase, scheduled to begin a month ago, have yet to start.
Israel has warned of “additional consequences” if Hamas does not agree to its proposal. Under the U.S.-backed plan, Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages on the first day and the rest upon reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas currently holds 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, after abducting approximately 250 people during its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people.
Israel’s military response has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, widespread displacement, and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure and health system, according to Palestinian health officials.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that unraveling the ceasefire risks plunging people “back into despair,” while UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher called Israel’s aid blockade “alarming” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) accused Israel of using aid as a “bargaining chip,” calling the move “unacceptable” and “outrageous.”
Since the ceasefire began on January 19, approximately 600 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily, helping to alleviate famine concerns raised by international experts.
Despite the rising tensions, Israeli officials confirmed a delegation would arrive in Cairo to discuss ways to keep ceasefire negotiations on track.
