Egyptian and Qatari officials condemned the blockade, arguing that Israel’s actions amounted to the use of starvation as a weapon — a breach of international humanitarian law.

The accusations came hours after the first phase of the ceasefire ended, which had briefly allowed a surge in humanitarian aid following months of escalating hunger in Gaza.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, described Israel’s actions as “a war crime and a blatant attack” on the truce, accusing Israeli authorities of attempting to derail the next phase of the agreement. The militant group warned that the blockade could undermine efforts to secure a lasting peace deal.

“This decision is a clear violation of the ceasefire terms and an attempt to pressure our people through starvation,” a Hamas spokesperson said in a statement. “We hold Israel fully responsible for the consequences of this inhumane blockade.”

The ceasefire, which took a year of negotiations to implement in January, was intended to halt hostilities and allow for phased discussions on a broader peace settlement.

In the second phase of the agreement, Hamas could release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. However, talks on this phase, which were supposed to begin a month ago, have yet to start.

Israel, meanwhile, defended its actions by linking them to security concerns. Officials warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if the ceasefire was not extended.

The Israeli government said on Sunday that a new U.S.-backed proposal aimed at extending the ceasefire’s first phase through both Ramadan — which began over the weekend — and the Jewish holiday of Passover, ending on April 20.

“We are committed to our security and will not allow Hamas to exploit the ceasefire to rearm and regroup,” an Israeli security official told local media. “The entry of aid will remain blocked until we have clear guarantees of peace and security.”

The blockade has already begun to impact Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with aid groups warning of a looming humanitarian catastrophe. Supplies of food, medicine, and fuel, which briefly flowed into Gaza during the first phase of the ceasefire, have now been cut off, leaving hospitals struggling to cope with shortages amid rising casualties from previous hostilities.

The situation has also drawn sharp reactions from the international community. The United Nations urged Israel to lift the blockade immediately, warning that the measures could lead to a full-blown humanitarian crisis. “The use of collective punishment is unacceptable and must cease,” a UN spokesperson said.

As negotiations stall, the fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain. Mediators fear that without immediate diplomatic breakthroughs, the region could slide back into conflict, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and complicating prospects for lasting peace.