Saudi Arabia condemns halting aid to Gaza: Israel uses it as a tool of blackmail

(Patria) - Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned Israel's decision to block aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, calling it "blackmail," Al Arabiya reported.

Israel's decision to "halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and its use as a tool of blackmail and collective punishment... is a flagrant violation of international law and a direct violation of the rules of international humanitarian law," said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also called on the international community to "stop these serious Israeli violations".

Announcing early Sunday that it was halting the entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza, Israel warned of "additional consequences" if Hamas does not agree to extend the first phase of the ceasefire.

Hamas accused Israel of seeking to undermine the ceasefire, which came into effect on January 19.

Egypt also condemned Israel's decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, condemning it as a "flagrant violation" of the ceasefire, which Cairo helped mediate. Egypt is scheduled to host a meeting of Arab foreign ministers on Monday, ahead of a summit on Tuesday where Arab leaders are expected to discuss a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.