Israel will stop the entry of essential aid into the Gaza Strip starting Sunday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The move is in response to what Netanyahu's office called "Hamas' refusal" to accept an outline for the resumption of truce talks presented by US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which included a surge in humanitarian assistance, expired on Saturday.
The two sides disagree about the next steps in the truce. Israel wants more hostages to be released under an extension of the first phase. But Hamas is pushing for the start of the second phase that would pave the way for a permanent end to the war.
Hamas said Israel was trying to disrupt the ceasefire and described the halt of aid to Gaza as a "war crime."
Netanyahu's office warned of "further consequences" if Hamas continues its refusal of what Israel says is a US proposal for the ceasefire extension.
Israel agrees to ceasefire extension, Hamas pushes for phase two
Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu's office had announced it had agreed to extend the ceasefire, just hours after it expired. It was due to be extended for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover.
Ramadan started this weekend and continues through March 30. The Jewish festival of Passover begins on the evening of April 12 and ends on the evening of April 20.
Witkoff proposed extending the current ceasefire after realizing more time was needed for talks on a permanent ceasefire, according to the statement from Netanyahu's office.
Source: DW
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
