Arab nations, rights groups condemn Israel’s decision to block Gaza aid

Several Arab countries and human rights organizations have strongly condemned Israel's decision to halt the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip, considering it a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law, and a heinous act of using starvation as a weapon of war. This move has raised serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip during Ramadan.

Israel blocked the delivery of aid to Gaza on Sunday, shortly after the first phase of the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian organization Hamas expired. Countries such as Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan have issued statements condemning Israel's obstruction of food, medicine, and fuel from entering the Gaza Strip, countries that had previously participated in mediating negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it "strongly condemns the Israeli government's decision to obstruct humanitarian aid and close border crossings used for relief efforts," noting that these actions violate the Fourth Geneva Convention and "all religious principles." The Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949, aims to provide humanitarian protection to civilians in war zones. The Qatari Foreign Ministry also issued a statement emphasizing its "strong opposition to the use of food as a weapon of war and the starvation of civilians," and called on the international community to take action.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces the decision of the Israeli occupation government to stop the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, using it as a tool for blackmail and collective punishment." The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said that Israel's move threatens to "reignite the situation in the region" and stressed that "Israel must stop using hunger as a weapon against Palestinians and innocent people."

Al Jazeera reporter Hani Mahmoud reported from Gaza City that Israel is once again using "food and water as weapons of war to gain political advantages." The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated: "Without access to aid, people's lives are at risk once again." Angellita Carreño, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Norwegian Refugee Council, also said that blocking aid to Gaza would bring local civilians "to the brink of collapse" and called on Israel to immediately reverse this decision, and for the international community to make every effort to ensure that aid can resume entering Gaza.

Hamas accused Israel on Monday of trying to undermine the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, calling Israel's decision to cut off aid a "war crime and a blatant attack on the truce." Meanwhile, Israel said it would support a new proposal put forward by the United States calling for the ceasefire agreement to be extended until the end of Ramadan and Passover (April 20). According to the proposal, Hamas would release half of the captured personnel on the first day and the remainder after an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire. But Hamas rejected the proposal, saying it would only release captured personnel in accordance with the original terms of the agreement, namely that Israeli forces would permanently withdraw from Gaza and end the war.

It is worth noting that Israel's previous war on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 48,380 people, most of whom were women and children, and has reduced the region to rubble. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November of last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. In addition, Israel is facing genocide charges in the International Court of Justice.