Benjamin Netanyahu: Cutting off aid is just the beginning

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement today (Sunday) announcing an end to humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the closing of the crossings until the hostages are released, and promising further consequences if Israel's demands are not met.

According to the official statement:

With the end of phase one of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas's refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for continued talks - which Israel agreed to - Prime Minister Netanyahu decided that starting this morning, all entry of goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be stopped.

Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be additional consequences.

Otzmah Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir praised this decision:

I welcome the decision to stop humanitarian aid, if indeed it will be implemented. Finally, the decision has been made - better late than never. This should be the policy until the return of the last hostage.

Now is the time to open the gates of hell, to also stop electricity and water, to return to war, and especially - not to be satisfied with only half of the hostages, but to return to President Trump's ultimatum - all hostages immediately or hell will open on Gaza.

Channel 12 reporter Yaron Avraham says that there is reportedly enough supplies already in the Gaza Strip to last for over four months, and that Hamas has quite a bit stored in warehouses.

Hamas has meantime rejected the idea of extending hostage for prisoner exchanges in the same format as phase one. Instead, it insists that the remaining hostages can only be released based on the terms of the second phase, which include the complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip, an end to the war, and the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip with Hamas in control.

Kann News reports that Israel is also preparing to increase military pressure if Hamas does not agree to free the hostages.