Netanyahu halts humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza

(Patria) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to halt all humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza as the first phase of the hostage deal ends, his office announced.

Israel earlier stated it would accept a proposal by Steve Witkoff, the envoy of US President Donald Trump, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan and Passover.

Both decisions came several hours after the first phase of the previously agreed ceasefire expired.

Under Witkoff's proposal, half of the hostages in Gaza, both living and dead, would be released on the first day of the resumed ceasefire. The remaining hostages would be released after an agreement on a permanent ceasefire.

Witkoff proposed extending the current ceasefire after realizing that more time was needed for talks on a truce, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.

Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said it is now clear that Israel is reneging on agreements it previously signed.

"Continuation of this manipulation will not return the hostages to their families. On the contrary, it will lead to their continued suffering and endanger their lives," Mardawi told Palestinian media.

The ceasefire agreement halted fighting that had lasted 15 months, and an exchange was carried out of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel.