On Sunday, Israel blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza as tensions rose over the ceasefire, which had paused hostilities for the past six weeks. In response, Hamas urged Egyptian and Qatari mediators to step in.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that it had accepted a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan and Passover. This decision came just hours after the first phase of the previously agreed truce had expired.

If approved, the ceasefire would extend until the end of Ramadan on March 31 and continue through the Jewish Passover holiday until April 20. However, it would be conditional on Hamas releasing half of the hostages, both living and deceased, on the first day, with the rest being freed at the end of the agreement, provided that a permanent ceasefire deal is reached.

Hamas, however, has rejected this temporary extension, insisting on the initially agreed ceasefire plan, which was supposed to progress into negotiations for a lasting end to the conflict.

The Israeli military reported that it spotted individuals near its troops in northern Gaza who were planting an explosive device. In response, it launched an airstrike to “eliminate the threat.” During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages along with five Thai nationals in an unexpected release. In return, Israel freed approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and withdrew troops from certain positions in Gaza. The original ceasefire agreement outlined a second phase, which was supposed to initiate talks on releasing the remaining 59 hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a permanent end to the conflict. However, these negotiations never took place. Israel has since stated that all hostages must be returned before it agrees to stop fighting.

Netanyahu’s office stated that “Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages” while also announcing a complete halt to the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza.

“If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences,” the statement added.

In response, Hamas condemned Israel’s decision as “blackmail” and a “blatant coup against the agreement.”

“We call on mediators to pressure the occupation to fulfill its obligations under the agreement in all its phases,” Hamas said, emphasising that the only way to secure the hostages' release was to honour the agreement and initiate talks for the second phase.

Later on Sunday, Israeli officials announced that a delegation would be sent to Cairo, seemingly to discuss ways to ease tensions and ensure the ceasefire remains intact. During a press conference with Croatia’s foreign minister, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, stated that Palestinians in Gaza would not receive goods for free and emphasised that further negotiations should be tied to the release of hostages. He added that the United States "understands" Israel’s decision to block goods from entering Gaza and blamed Hamas for the deadlock in negotiations. Over the past six weeks, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement. However, despite multiple setbacks, the ceasefire was primarily held while the first phase of the hostage-for-prisoner exchange was completed.

Significant disagreements remain over key issues regarding a permanent end to the war, particularly concerning the governance of Gaza after the conflict and the future of Hamas. The group initiated Israel’s invasion by launching an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, marking the deadliest day in Israel’s history, and led to 251 individuals being taken hostage in Gaza. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and left the region in ruins.

Israel maintains that Hamas should have no role in Gaza’s future after the war and insists on dismantling its military and governing structures entirely. It also opposes allowing the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, to take control of Gaza.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has stated that it is not determined to stay in power but insists that it must be consulted on any future governance arrangements.

The situation has been further complicated by a proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting the removal of Gaza’s Palestinian population and the redevelopment of the area as a U.S.-owned property project.