Gaza ceasefire weakened as Israel suspends humanitarian aid

Benjamin Netanyahuprime Minister

In Witkoff's plan, half of the hostages would be released right away and the remaining half would be released if we reach an agreement on a permanent ceasefire,

Netanyahu said Sunday

Unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip must be guaranteed at all times,

foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer told a press briefing

All of this is indispensable for the release of further hostages, for improving the humanitarian situation of the people in Gaza and, in the long term, for the reconstruction of Gaza and a peaceful future in the region,

he added

Hamas must now put an end to the suffering and humiliation of the remaining hostages and their families,

he said

(The ... The US) is offering something that would work towards Israel's interest, but not Palestinian interest,

said Mayroz,

Politically, restarting the war in Gaza helps Netanyahu. The longer the war continues, the longer he can stay in power,

said Hashemi

Strong Israeli public pressure may salvage the ceasefire. Much would depend on how much Netanyahu is afraid of Israeli public opinion versus the risk of toppling its government,

said Mayroz

It is a war crime to withhold humanitarian aid,

said Eyal Mayroz, a senior lecturer of peace and conflict studies at the University of Sydney

There was an agreement in place. (All relevant parties) signed onto it. Now, Israel has decided not to honour the agreement,

said Nader Hashemi, associate professor of Middle East and Islamic politics at Georgetown University

The lifeline – if we can call it that – for (Netanyahu’s administration) depends on not going into phase two, because radical (lawmakers) are threatening to topple the government if Israel agrees to a full withdrawal from Gaza,

Mayroz told CNA’s Asia Now

Trump doesn’t need Gaza… to pursue his political programme. Netanyahu is not going to face any pressure from the Americans this time around,

he added

I'm not holding my breath that the Arab states are going to do what's needed to change the reality on the ground in Gaza and move things in a positive direction,

he said

Theoretically, if there was any sort of credible Arab leadership in the Middle East that is willing to take a firm stand in defence of the human rights of the Palestinians, then Arab states do have a lot of leverage over Israel,

he said

António Guterresgeneral

It is imperative that all efforts be made to prevent a return to hostilities. A permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing escalation and averting more devastating consequences for civilians. Humanitarian aid must continue to flow, without impediment, ensuring the safety and security of civilians and humanitarian workers."

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres

Israel has many pressure tools and halting aid is a first step. Returning to war is an option but it is not Israel's goal."

Israel's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Eli Cohen

We call on the U.S. administration to stop its bias and alignment with the fascist plans of war criminal Netanyahu,

Hamas said in a statement late on Sunday

Postponing the negotiation on the deal for everyone’s (release) can’t happen,

Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, said in Tel Aviv

There will be famine and chaos,

she said

We call on the international community to oblige Israel to ensure the safe and sustainable entry of humanitarian aid without obstacles,

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said

When it comes to water, for example, 80 percent of Gaza’s reservoirs have been completely destroyed along with the desalination infrastructure. So there is full reliance on the trucks that are carrying water supplies,

Mahmoud said