Hamas calls Israel's suspension of aid to Gaza a 'war crime'

Hamas on Sunday slammed Israel's suspension of supplies and aid entering Gaza, describing it as a "war crime" and a violation of the ceasefire agreement, urging the mediators to compel Israel to end the punitive measures against Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement", the group said in a statement.

Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the fragile truce and said its decision to cut off aid was "cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the (ceasefire) agreement."

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which included a surge in humanitarian assistance, expired on Saturday.

A woman prepares food for Iftar, or fast-breaking meal, on the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, as she sits by the rubble of a collapsed building in a shelter in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. AFP

The two sides have yet to negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas was to release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout and a lasting ceasefire.

Israel said earlier on Sunday that it supports a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, or April 20. It said the proposal came from the Trump administration's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Under that proposal, Hamas would release half the hostages on the first day and the rest when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

Destroyed buildings are pictured in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan. AFP

There was no immediate comment from the United States, Egypt or Qatar, who have been mediating between Israel and Hamas for over a year.

Agencies