States, int'l bodies decry Israeli halt of Gaza aid, demand its flow
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The chief of the United Nations humanitarian organization slammed the suspension of crucial supplies into Gaza, saying it violates international law.
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Trucks line up at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza on March 2, 2025. (AP)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Israeli occupation to cease its suspension of humanitarian supplies to Gaza "immediately".
The Secretary-General urged all parties to make every effort to avert a resumption of hostilities in Gaza, demanding that humanitarian aid return to Gaza "immediately" and that the release of all captives take place.
On his part, the chief of the United Nations humanitarian organization slammed the suspension of crucial supplies into Gaza, saying it violates international law.
"Israel's decision to halt aid into Gaza is alarming. International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid," OCHA Director Thomas Fletcher wrote on X.
Israel’s decision to halt aid into Gaza is alarming.
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) March 2, 2025
International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid.
We can’t roll back the progress of the past 42 days. We need to get aid in and the hostages out.
The ceasefire must hold.
Egypt, Qatar say 'Israel' blocking aid 'violation' of truce deal
Egypt condemned on Sunday "Israel's" decision to stop humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip as a "flagrant violation" of the truce agreement in its war with Hamas, which Cairo had helped broker.
"Egypt affirms that these measures constitute a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement," said a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry, accusing "Israel" of using starvation as "a weapon against the Palestinian people."
Similarly, fellow mediator Qatar accused "Israel" of violating the ceasefire deal in Gaza.
"Qatar strongly condemns the decision of the Israeli occupation government to stop bringing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and considers it a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, (and) international humanitarian law," Doha's Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement, expressing its "rejection of the use of food as a weapon of war."
ICRC stresses importance of maintaining Gaza truce, flow of aid
On its part, the International Federation of Red Cross (ICRC) underscored that it was "vital that a ceasefire and aid delivery to Gaza is maintained."
"It is vital that a ceasefire and aid delivery to Gaza is maintained to meet the humanitarian needs of safety, shelter, healthcare, food and psychological support while a sustainable solution for long-lasting peace is found," Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies emphasized on X.
It is vital that a ceasefire and aid delivery to Gaza is maintained to meet the humanitarian needs of safety, shelter, healthcare, food and psychological support while a sustainable solution for long-lasting peace is found.
— Jagan Chapagain (@jagan_chapagain) March 2, 2025
The @IFRC reiterates its calls to the parties for:
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Tánaiste on Gaza aid: Serious threat risking lives
Meanwhile, the Tánaiste of Ireland expressed in a statement great concern over reports of "Israel" halting aid in the Gaza Strip.
"Recent weeks saw a much-needed increase in aid reaching people in Gaza. Any threat to that poses a serious risk to people’s lives," the statement detailed.
Both sides must maintain the ceasefire deal and meet their commitments "through all of its phases," the statement continued, adding that there is an "enormous need for humanitarian aid in Gaza."
Ireland has been assisting UN partners in delivering aid to Gaza and has trucks ready to depart from Jordan with food and shelter, the statement added, highlighting some concerns that halting aid to Gaza could delay the delivery of this essential relief.
Hamas: Netanyahu halting aid 'blatant violation' of ceasefire deal
Hamas affirmed on Sunday that "Netanyahu's decision to halt humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is a cheap act of blackmail, a war crime, and a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange."
The movement called on mediators and the international community to pressure the occupation government to stop its "punitive and unethical measures against more than 2 million people," adding that "Netanyahu's statement regarding the extension of the first phase is a blatant attempt to evade the agreement and avoid entering negotiations for the second phase."
Earlier on Sunday, "Israel" announced the halting of all humanitarian aid to Gaza and the closing of passages "until further notice," emphasizing that "Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of all hostages, and if Hamas continues to refuse, there will be further consequences."
Hamas emphasized the importance of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement; however, "Israel" announced that it accepted an American proposal to extend the current phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, as negotiations for the second phase failed to produce results.
