Israel said Sunday it has stopped the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza following the expiry of phase one of the ceasefire deal and Hamas’ refusal of a US-backed extension. The first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, under which dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were freed since mid-January, reached its expiration date on Saturday. Hamas has insisted on advancing to the second stage, accusing Israel of “ongoing manipulation” with its proposed extension to cover the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover. That extension had been proposed by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said Sunday: “With the completion of Phase A of the hostage deal, and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for continuing the talks — which Israel had agreed to — Prime Minister (Benjamin)…
