Israel Freezes Aid After Hamas Rejects Hostage Deal
Efforts to extend a fragile ceasefire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas suffered a major setback this weekend, after Hamas rejected a US-brokered proposal to extend the current agreement, prompting Israel to halt humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza. Meanwhile, renewed Israeli airstrikes killed at least nine people, including three journalists, further complicating negotiations.
On Saturday, Palestinian media reported that nine civilians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. The Palestinian Journalists Protection Center confirmed three of the dead as journalists. Hamas condemned the strikes as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement, accusing Israel of perpetrating a “horrific massacre.” The IDF confirmed conducting the airstrikes, stating they targeted “terror operatives that posed a threat to IDF troops in the area.”
Earlier today, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar publicly revealed that Israel had accepted a proposal from US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the first phase of the ceasefire by 50 days, covering the period of Ramadan and Passover. Hamas rejected this offer, Sa’ar stated, prompting Israel’s decision to halt aid truck deliveries into Gaza. “We wouldn’t do it for free,” said Sa’ar, referencing an agreement that explicitly states there is no automatic transition between phases without mutual consent. “We have fulfilled our commitments up to the very last day.”
On Friday, Hamas issued its own offer, announcing a willingness to release American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, the last known living US citizen in captivity, along with the remains of four dual nationals. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem also expressed readiness for comprehensive negotiations if Israel met certain demands, including the resumption of aid deliveries.
White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff swiftly dismissed Hamas’ proposal as “disingenuous,” accusing the group of publicly suggesting flexibility while privately making “entirely impractical” demands. Witkoff warned Hamas against believing “time is on its side,” indicating the group’s proposal came too late and with unacceptable conditions, including a permanent ceasefire.
Additionally, a senior Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations indicated Hamas’ offer on Friday echoed an earlier proposal by US hostage envoy Adam Boehler. The proposal, initially made on March 4, involved releasing Alexander and four deceased dual nationals—identified by the diplomat as American-Israelis Itay Chen, Omer Neutra, Gadi Haggai, and Judy Weinstein—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and resumed humanitarian aid.
Under Witkoff’s “bridge proposal,” presented in Doha earlier this week, Hamas would have agreed to extend the ceasefire deal’s initial phase through April 19, releasing several hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and renewed aid deliveries. Hamas’s rejection of this proposal prompted Israel’s aid cutoff, increasing humanitarian pressures within Gaza.
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