SUNDAY March 2, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN
With inputs from Agency reports
Israel, this Sunday, March 2, 2025, morning, has decided to completely stop the transfer of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and has closed all crossings as of this morning, the Prime Minister’s Office announced overnight between Saturday and Sunday.
The decision was made during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in coordination with the United States, aiming to increasing pressure on Hamas to accept Israel’s terms in the negotiations.
Israeli assessments indicate that the Palestinians have enough food from the aid that has already entered the Gaza Strip to last between four and six months. Hamas, which stockpiled food at Gazans expense, accused: “Israel is starving the residents of the Gaza Strip.”
“Following the completion of the first stage of the hostage deal and due to Hamas’ refusal to accept the Vitkoff framework for continued talks, which Israel agreed to, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that starting this morning, all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted,” the statement read. “Israel will not agree to a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues to refuse, there will be further consequences.”
Just yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that after a security discussion led by Netanyahu, Israel is adopting the framework proposed by US President Joe Biden’s envoy, Steve Vitkoff, for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. The framework includes the release of half of the living and deceased hostages on the first day, and on the final day—if an agreement on a permanent ceasefire is reached—the release of the remaining hostages.
