Egypt pushes for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza amid ceasefire negotiations

Egypt is pushing to restore humanitarian aid to Gaza as mediators work to extend the ceasefire amid ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

Thus, mediators had urged Israel not to resume military operations, while Israel, in turn, demanded that mediators ensure Hamas is disarmed before reconstruction efforts in Gaza begin, Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Hadath.

Notably, Israel has halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza, demanding Hamas agree to a US-backed plan for a ceasefire extension. The first phase of a truce, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, expired on March 1. Israeli officials say Hamas rejected a proposal from Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a six-week ceasefire extension.

In response, Hamas denounced the decision as "cheap blackmail" and urged mediators to intervene. The ceasefire had previously brought a temporary halt to 15 months of fighting, facilitating the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 1,900 Palestinians.

However, negotiations on phase two, intended to lead to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces, have made little progress.

As a result, Israel has suspended the flow of aid into Gaza, with no trucks allowed into the territory on March 1. Humanitarian organisations, including the World Food Programme, stressed the urgency of continued assistance to Gaza’s population. Egypt has called for the full implementation of the ceasefire deal, while planning to present a reconstruction proposal for Gaza at an Arab summit on March 4.

By Aghakazim Guliyev