Turning ‘Humanitarian Aid Into a Budget For Terrorism’: Israel Suspends Aid Flow to Gaza After Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Extension

Latest Developments

Israel Suspends Aid Into Gaza Strip: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 2 that Israel has halted “the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza” following Hamas’s rejection of a ceasefire extension. Netanyahu emphasized that “Hamas currently controls all of the supplies and goods that are being sent to the Gaza Strip,” adding the Iran-backed terrorist organization has turned “humanitarian aid into a budget for terrorism.” Netanyahu added that “There will be no free lunches… If Hamas thinks that it will be possible to continue the ceasefire or benefit from the terms of the first stage, without us receiving hostages, it is sorely mistaken.” Since the implementation of the 42 day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on January 19, Israel has facilitated the entry of at least 600 aid trucks per-day into the Gaza strip.
Witkoff-Proposed Ceasefire Extension Rejected by Hamas: Netanyahu said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff had proposed a temporary ceasefire extension for the Ramadan and Passover period after phase one of the ceasefire expired on March 1. Witkoff had reportedly suggested the extension “after gaining the impression that there is no possibility, at present, of bridging” gaps in negotiations between Israel and Hamas for phase two of the ceasefire. While Israel agreed to the extension, which would see the remaining 59 hostages released in one fell swoop, Netanyahu said that Hamas “has not agreed to the framework.” The Prime Minister emphasized that “if Hamas changes its position, Israel will immediately enter into negotiations on implementing the framework.”
Rubio Fast Tracks Arms Sale to Israel: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 1 that he had used his emergency authority powers to expedite the delivery of $4 billion in military assistance to Israel. Since taking office, the Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in “major foreign military sales to Israel.” Rubio’s announcement came after Washington announced on March 1 that it was fast-tracking a $3 billion arms sale to Israel which includes armored bulldozers and thousands of bombs.

FDD Expert Response

“The days of Israel’s meager punitive measures against Hamas — like restricting the Mediterranean fishing zone — are long gone. Hamas seems to forget that it and its armed allies started this war, yet it now demands that the ceasefire terms align with its wishes. Israel and the United States are making it clear that actions have consequences, and Hamas would be wise to agree to an extension of the ceasefire while it still can.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“It’s important that Hamas be pressured to extend the framework of the ceasefire deal. Israel knows that by hoarding international aid to Gaza, Hamas boosts its chances of survival, and this is what Jerusalem wants to prevent. Additionally, Hamas’s cynical rejection of the ceasefire extension shows it understands that the remaining 59 hostages are all the leverage it has left.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow