Israel blocks aid to Gaza, Hamas accuses: ‘It is a war crime’

Israeli minister Katz confirms stop to distribution of humanitarian aid: ‘Let’s prevent Hamas from taking it over’. The Islamist group retorts: ‘Collective punishment to civilians’

Harsh reaction from Hamas after Israel’s announcement on the blockade of humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip. ‘It is a public admission of a war crime,’ the group says, “including the use of hunger as a weapon and the denial of essential goods such as water, food, medicine and fuel to innocent civilians.

Katz: “Civilian network needed for aid distribution”

The announcement comes from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who explained the halt as a measure to prevent aid from ending up in the hands of Hamas. ‘It will only be restored when a civil infrastructure for its distribution exists, so as to depower the organisation,’ he said. Katz also claimed the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people from the Strip and the expansion of the buffer zone, which would now include 20 per cent of the territory.

Hamas evaluates Israeli hostage proposal

Hamas is reportedly evaluating a new Israeli proposal for a possible hostage release agreement. This was reported to Al Jazeera broadcaster Mahmoud al-Mardawi, a senior leader of the movement. “We will only accept an agreement that includes an end to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal. Weapons are non-negotiable,’ he reiterated. According to sources quoted by AFP, the group’s internal consultations are in the final stages and the response will be sent to the mediators shortly.

Wall Street Journal: Hamas in financial crisis

According to the Wall Street Journal, Hamas is facing a serious liquidity crisis. Israel’s targeted attacks on the leaders of the organisation’s financial arm and the blockade of humanitarian goods have allegedly undermined its ability to pay. Some civil servants in Gaza are reportedly no longer receiving salaries, while fighters and leaders would only receive half of their usual salaries.

Israeli raid on Al-Mawasi: 21 dead, also women and children

Meanwhile, the Gaza Civil Defence – controlled by Hamas – reported the death of 21 people in the latest Israeli air raids, 15 of them in the bombing of an area of tents for displaced people in Al-Mawasi. Among the victims, the organisation reported, were numerous women and children.

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