Udaipur, March 4, 2025 - Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza after Hamas refused to accept a US-backed ceasefire extension plan. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, expired on Saturday. The agreement was supposed to progress to phase two, leading to a permanent truce and hostage releases, but negotiations have stalled.

Israel agreed to extend the ceasefire for six weeks during Ramadan and Passover. However, it insists that hostages must be released for the truce to continue. Hamas has called Israel's decision "cheap blackmail" and urged international mediators to intervene. It wants guarantees that phase two of the ceasefire will happen.

Aid Agencies Warn of Humanitarian Crisis

The World Food Programme (WFP) and other aid agencies confirmed that no trucks were allowed into Gaza on Sunday. While supplies are still available, humanitarian groups stress that aid must continue.

Netanyahu Warns Hamas

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Hamas of severe consequences if it does not release the hostages still held in Gaza. Hamas accuses Israel of refusing to move to the next phase of the ceasefire and instead extending the first phase.

Israel has stopped aid deliveries to Gaza. Countries like Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan have strongly criticized this, calling it a violation of humanitarian law. Two Palestinians have been killed and three injured in Israeli attacks on southern Gaza.

One person was killed and four injured in a stabbing attack at a bus station in Haifa. Israeli police are investigating.

Casualty Numbers

• Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 48,388 deaths and 111,803 injured.
• The Government Media Office says at least 61,709 people have died, including those missing under rubble.
• In Israel, 1,139 people were killed in Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and over 200 were taken hostage.

Source: Media Reports