Israel’s illegal blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza has entered its second week, in direct violation of international law and the terms of the current ceasefire agreement. Despite the agreement’s call for a phased ceasefire and humanitarian access, Israel has continued to block food, medicine, fuel, and relief convoys from entering the besieged strip, where over 2 million Palestinians face starvation and medical collapse.

According to UN officials, Israel has not only failed to uphold its obligations under the ceasefire but has escalated enforcement at crossing points, deliberately obstructing aid missions and using bureaucratic pretexts to delay shipments. These actions constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law, specifically the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective punishment and mandates the protection of civilians in occupied territory.

This is not the first time Israel has weaponized aid access. Similar blockades occurred during previous operations in 2008-2009, 2014, and 2021, with human rights observers repeatedly warning that Israel’s control of entry points has turned basic survival into a bargaining chip in political and military negotiations.

The current ceasefire agreement—brokered in part by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—stipulated that a second phase of negotiations would begin March 2, focusing on broader prisoner exchanges and a long-term truce. Hamas has officially called for the commencement of this phase, offering the release of hostages in exchange for tangible movement on humanitarian corridors and reconstruction. Israel has ignored these terms, while continuing airstrikes and maintaining siege conditions, effectively breaking the ceasefire it agreed to.

As malnutrition soars and hospitals shut down due to fuel shortages, the United Nations and several humanitarian agencies have called for the immediate and unconditional opening of aid routes. Israel’s refusal, they say, is not only unlawful but risks triggering a famine engineered by blockade.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government has offered no clear justification for its refusal to implement the next phase of the agreement or allow life-saving aid into Gaza. Rights groups have accused Tel Aviv of using the ceasefire as cover for continued collective punishment, and UN Special Rapporteurs have warned that these actions may constitute crimes against humanity.