As Phase One of the 42 day ceasefire came to a close last night, Hamas leaders rejected a last minute proposal offered by Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the First Phase and base it off an exchange of prisoners instead of negotiating an end of the war.
In response to Hamas’ rejection, Israel ordered the halt to all aid transfers into Gaza, a move that was never possible under the Biden administration.
“With the end of phase one of the hostage deal and in light of Hamas’s refusal to accept the [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff outline for continuing talks – to which Israel agreed – Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will cease,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement Sunday morning.
“Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” the PMO added, threatening “further consequences” if Hamas continues to say no to the proposal.
“Hamas is currently taking control of all supplies and goods sent to the Gaza Strip. It is abusing the Gazan population who are trying to receive the aid, it is shooting at them, and is turning humanitarian aid into a terrorist budget directed against us,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the weekly cabinet meeting.
“The commitment to bringing in this amount [of supplies to Gaza] was in the first phase,” Sa’ar said at a press conference. “The first phase ended, and we are implementing the principle of no free meals.”
Will All Hell Finally Break Loose?
Netanyahu added the following about the current ceasefire: “Israel is not in violation, while Hamas has violated the Phase 1 agreement time and time again. According to the original agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it is convinced that the negotiations are ineffective. This clause was supported by a side letter from the previous American administration and also received the backing and support of the Trump Administration.”
It is clear that something big is about to happen in Gaza. Hamas is not interested in leaving the Gaza Strip and therefore will never hand over the remaining hostages. President Trump clearly wants them wiped out and Gaza to be emptied both as a clear expression of moral justice and as message to the rest of the world – don’t screw around.
The question is when is all hell going to break loose? This Thursday General Eyal Zamir is taking over as Israel’s Chief of Staff and those in the know have said that he favors a very offense strategy for crushing Hamas and taking over Gaza in a full military occupation and has even drawn up plan in order to achieve that outcome. While its safe to assume that the war won’t restart on the day of his induction, assume it will start soon after. Right now Israel has forced Hamas to clear the markets and begin hoarding food once again – effectively starving the Gazan populace – not a good idea if they want to continue to rule.
The same zombie like populace that has followed them blindly throughout the conflict may turn and devour their own leaders if they get to hungry.