Palestinian trucks loaded with humanitarian aid cross into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, east of the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip February 24, 2025. (Photo: Ali Hassan/Flash90)
Following a security cabinet meeting Saturday night, which also marked the end of the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would adopt a framework for a temporary ceasefire extension during the Ramadan and Passover period put forward by U.S. Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.
Following a security discussion chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and with the participation of the Defense Minister, senior security establishment officials and the negotiating team, it was decided:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 2, 2025
According to that proposal, “on the first day of the framework, half of the living and deceased hostages will be released and upon its conclusion – if agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire – the remaining living and deceased hostages will be released,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
The PMO stated that Witkoff proposed the framework “after gaining the impression that, at present, there was no possibility of bridging between the positions of the sides on ending the war, and that additional time was required for talks on a permanent ceasefire.”
Netanyahu’s office also claimed that “Hamas has repeatedly violated the agreement, Israel has not been found in violation.” Noting that according to the existing agreement, Israel could return to fighting after the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal, the PMO said that it was willing to adopt Witkoff’s new proposal as a way forward.
“This article is supported in a side letter by the previous US [Biden] administration and has also received the support of the Trump administration,” Netanyahu’s office claimed.
Noting that Israel has agreed to the Witkoff proposal, the PMO statement said that “Hamas has, until now, clung to its rejection of this framework.”
“If Hamas changes its position, Israel will immediately enter into negotiations on the overall details of the Witkoff framework.”
Former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slammed the Prime Minister for refusing to take a harder stance with Hamas despite support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The very fact that the government is not adopting President Trump’s own proposal, and is not now giving Hamas an ultimatum to release all our hostages unconditionally, otherwise the ‘gates of hell will open on Gaza’, is an absolute disgrace – and the decision to continue begging Hamas to agree to a continued ceasefire, instead of crushing it with tremendous force – is a double disgrace,” Ben Gvir said in a statement shortly after the PMO announcement.
On Sunday morning, after Hamas rejected the Witkoff proposal, the Prime Minister’s Office released another statement, announcing the cessation of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
“With the conclusion of the first stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel has agreed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted,” the statement said.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences.”
Hamas had released a statement Sunday morning, saying that Israel’s adoption of the Witkoff proposal “is a blatant attempt to evade the [ceasefire] agreement and evade entering into negotiations for the second phase of it.”
“Netanyahu’s decision to stop humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant violation of the agreement,” the Hamas statement read. “We emphasize that the only way to restore the occupation prisoners is to adhere to the agreement, and to immediately enter into negotiations to begin the second stage, and for the occupation to commit to implementing its commitments.”
Following the announcement by Netanyahu of the halting of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Ben Gvir released another statement, praising the decision.
“I welcome the decision to stop the humanitarian aid, if it is implemented. The decision has finally been made – better late than never.
“This should be the policy until the last of the hostages is returned. Now is the time to open the gates of hell, stop the electricity and water, return to war, and most importantly – not to settle for just half of the hostages, but to return to President Trump’s ultimatum – all the hostages immediately or hell will break loose on Gaza.”
Israeli authorities estimate that the approximately 4,200 trucks of humanitarian aid which entered Gaza during the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire should be sufficient to last the residents for several months.
