2 March 2025

Netanyahu blocks aid to Gaza to force revised agreement without troop withdrawal

Israel has blocked humanitarian aid to Gaza in an attempt to force a change to the ceasefire agreement. The revised deal would secure the release of hostages without requiring an Israeli military withdrawal, delaying Phase 2 negotiations, which were set to focus on the release of remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Israel has announced a complete halt to the entry of goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza, a move that coincides with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted for war crimes in Gaza by the International Criminal Court (ICC), ordered the blockade and warned of “additional consequences".

Hamas has insisted that negotiations should move to a second phase, focusing on a permanent ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal, and Gaza’s reconstruction. A spokesperson for the group condemned Israel’s decision, calling it an act of collective punishment that worsens the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s decision has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights and humanitarian organisations. On 2 March 2025, Oxfam described the blockade as a “prohibited act of collective punishment” and accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law. The organisation urged Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s directive to allow aid into Gaza, warning that the blockade would further exacerbate hunger and suffering (The Guardian, 2 March 2025).

Amnesty International also spoke out on 2 March 2025, denouncing the move and stating that “using starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime.” The organisation called on Israel to immediately lift the restrictions and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid (The Guardian, 2 March 2025).

Prior to this latest blockade, on 26 February 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, accused Israel of showing an “unprecedented disregard for human rights” in Gaza. He stated that Israel’s military operations have consistently violated international law and that cutting off aid would intensify an already dire humanitarian situation (Reuters, 26 February 2025).

UNICEF also raised concerns about the blockade. In a statement published on unicef.org on 1 March 2025, the organisation warned that humanitarian aid alone is not enough to meet Gaza’s extensive needs. It stressed the importance of allowing commercial goods and banking services to resume, stating: “Humanitarian relief must be facilitated, and we urge all parties to provide unimpeded access to affected people. Additionally, commercial goods must be allowed to enter Gaza.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) issued a statement on 1 March 2025, calling for the immediate reopening of Gaza’s land crossings, including Rafah, to allow medical and humanitarian supplies to reach those in need. The organisation stated that “the ongoing blockade severely hampers our ability to provide lifesaving care to civilians caught in this conflict” (Doctors Without Borders, 1 March 2025).

The British Medical Association (BMA) has also condemned the blockade, highlighting the devastating impact on healthcare in Gaza. In a statement published on bma.org.uk on 1 March 2025, the BMA called for independent investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and urged Israel to restore access to essential medical supplies.

B’Tselem, the Israeli human rights organisation, has consistently criticised Israel’s policies towards Gaza. In an April 2024 report titled “Israel is Committing the War Crime of Starvation in the Gaza Strip,” B’Tselem stated that the humanitarian crisis is “not a byproduct of war, but a direct result of Israel’s declared policy.” The report highlighted the destruction of Gaza’s food production capacity, with cultivated fields destroyed, bakeries bombed, and food warehouses depleted due to a lack of basic supplies, fuel, and electricity (B’Tselem.org, April 2024).

As Ramadan begins, the situation in Gaza remains critical. Aid organisations have warned that further restrictions on humanitarian access will put thousands of lives at risk. With no immediate resolution in sight, international pressure continues to mount against Israel’s decision to tighten its blockade on Gaza.