Jerusalem, March 2 -- Israel has blocked humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip since early Sunday, Israeli officials confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the measure was taken to pressure Hamas into accepting a new proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, which he said was put forth by U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff.
"In light of Hamas' refusal to accept the Witkoff proposal for continuing the talks, we have decided to prevent any entry of goods and supplies into Gaza," Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
He warned that Hamas would face "additional consequences" if it did not agree to the proposal.
Netanyahu said Israeli intelligence had indicated that ...