Israel Halted Entry Of Goods, Humanitarian Aid To Gaza

Israel announced yesterday that it was immediately halting the entry of all goods and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, trying to force Hamas to accept an extension of the cease-fire.

The move is likely to cause further hardship for roughly two million Gazans. It also puts the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages in uncharted territory.

Hours before the announcement, Israel proposed extending the cease-fire by seven weeks, during which Hamas would release half of the living hostages, as well as the remains of half of the deceased ones. Hamas said no, referring to Israel’s halting of aid as “cheap blackmail,” but said it was still willing to negotiate the second stage of the deal.

Hamas is unlikely to accept a new offer without further negotiations, said Aaron David Miller, an analyst. Israel’s proposal, he said, would allow “Israelis to get hostages back without making reciprocal commitments.”