Israel halts entry of aid trucks into Gaza: A joint decision by Netanyahu and Trump?

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

Sources close to Hamas have noted that humanitarian aid sent to Gaza has been halted in line with a joint decision by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Since January 19, Israel has rendered infrastructure unusable in the areas of Gaza it occupies. There is no clean water or food supply in the region.

All humanitarian aid to Gaza, where approximately 2 million people live, has been cut off. It is alleged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun to block the entry and exit of trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the region. It has been learned that the IDF has closed border crossings under the instructions of Netanyahu.

Israel's Channel 14 television reported that the aid was blocked as a result of a meeting between Netanyahu and Trump. According to the report, the Israeli government has begun to increase its military presence around Gaza.

According to a report by Quds News Network, which is close to Hamas, it was claimed that Israel is continuing its preparations to attack Gaza. The Quds report also drew attention to the fact that Israel is making military shipments to Gaza.

Israel controls all entry and exit points to Gaza. It has been alleged that at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, aid trucks are being stopped and forced to turn back.

THE CEASEFIRE PROCESS IN GAZA

The war in Gaza, which had been ongoing since October 7, 2023, stopped with the ceasefire signed between Hamas and Israel on January 19. Within the scope of the agreement between the two sides, it was announced that a 3-phase ceasefire plan would be implemented. The parties carried out a mutual hostage exchange in the first phase of the ceasefire.

Within the scope of the hostage exchange, 33 Israelis and more than 1,900 Palestinians were released. Israel stated that more than 60 of its citizens are still being held hostage by Hamas. Hamas was expected to release the hostages in the 2nd or 3rd phase of the ceasefire, depending on the progress of the negotiations.

The first phase of the ceasefire ended on March 1 with the completion of the hostage exchange. The parties were going to meet in Qatar to hold talks regarding the 2nd phase. However, as a result of the Israeli side not sending a delegation to the meetings expected to be held in mid-February and, according to Hamas's claim, 'cutting off communication,' no details regarding the 2nd phase of the ceasefire have been determined.

News Source: 12punto