Israel-Palestine conflict: Hamas rejects ceasefire discussions due to Israel's 'starvation strategy' enforced by blockade

Gaza Strips' Crisis Unabated: Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Talks

Israel-Palestine conflict: Hamas rejects ceasefire discussions due to Israel's 'starvation strategy' enforced by blockade

In a bold move, Hamas has refused to engage in any ceasefire negotiations with Israel, pinning blame on the continued "hunger and extermination war" in Gaza, as stated by senior official Basem Naim. Speaking to AFP news agency, Naim pleaded with the international community to pressure Israel to end the "crimes" of hunger, thirst, and killings in Gaza.

Yesterday's assertion came on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that the residents of the enclave will be displaced in an upcoming militant operation, which reportedly includes the "conquest of Gaza" and "holding of territories."

Since the Israeli war began in October 2023, Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced numerous times, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Total Siege

The crisis in Gaza has reached an alarming level, with the total blockade imposed by Israel worsening the situation since March 2. This blockade has led to widespread food shortages as Israel continues relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary reported from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, where Palestinians struggle daily to feed their families, some even consuming expired or rotten food while others go hungry.

According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), food supplies in Gaza have completely run out in both local markets and humanitarian distribution centers. In its latest update, the PRCS warned that the population is once again at "extreme risk of famine," with an inability to meet even the minimum daily needs of over a million displaced people. Currently, only limited quantities of legumes are being distributed to community kitchens, as all previously stocked aid has been depleted.

International Concerns and Responses

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) voiced concerns about the humanitarian crisis, calling for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid and warning against its politicization. ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon emphasized that Israel, under international humanitarian law, has the obligation to ensure the basic needs of the civilian population are met.

Aya al-Skafy, a Gaza City resident, mourned the loss of her four-month-old baby last week due to malnutrition and medicine shortages. Israel, she accused, continues to wage war, killing, bombing, destroying, and imposing a siege and starvation on a daily basis. al-Skafy called upon the world to bear witness to the ongoing famine in Gaza.

Leaked Israeli Plans

Reports have emerged of Israeli plans to severely restrict food distribution in Gaza. Under the proposed scheme, Palestinian families would be allowed to collect one food parcel per week in designated hubs within southern Gaza. Israel would also only allow 60 trucks to enter the Gaza Strip daily – one-tenth of the required amount, according to experts. Aid groups in the UN have denounced this plan as a tactic to further reinforce control over life-saving supplies.

In defiance of peace talks, Hamas's Basem Naim accused Israel of waging a "hunger and extermination war" in Gaza, calling for international pressure to end the crisis.
Israel's plan to restrict food distribution in Gaza, revealed recently, aims to limit families to one parcel per week and allow only a tenth of the required trucks daily, causing alarm among aid groups.
Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary reported from Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, where Palestinians struggle daily to feed their families due to widespread food shortages exacerbated by Israel's attacks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) voiced concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging the immediate entry of aid and condemning its politicization, as per international humanitarian law.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) warned that Gaza's displaced population is once again facing "extreme risk of famine," with food supplies depleted in markets and distribution centers, leaving over a million people unable to meet their minimum daily needs.