Hamas urges global action to end Israel's blockade of Gaza

As Gaza faces worsening shortages, Hamas rejects Israel’s ceasefire proposal and demands international pressure.

Trucks loaded with aid wait near the Rafah border crossing on March 2, 2025, in Rafah, Egypt. Photo by Ali Moustafa/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Hamas urges global action to end Israel's blockade of Gaza, warning of catastrophic consequences for the enclave’s 2.4 million residents if the siege, imposed since March 2, continues without international intervention. The militant group’s call on Friday followed dire warnings from the United Nations about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which is now described as the worst it has been since the outbreak of war in October 2023.

In a statement released by senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, the group called on the international community to act immediately and apply pressure on Israel to lift what it described as an “unjust blockade.” The blockade has prevented the delivery of essential supplies—including medicine, food, water, and fuel—for over a month and a half, according to the UN.

International concern grows as blockade enters seventh week

The Gaza Strip has long been subject to restrictions, but since March 2, the blockade has intensified, with no aid trucks reportedly reaching the territory. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned earlier this week that Gaza is now enduring its most severe humanitarian crisis since the war began.

“The humanitarian situation is now likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities,” OCHA said on Monday. The agency highlighted that the complete halt in aid shipments has paralyzed the health sector, left hospitals unable to function, and deepened civilian suffering.

Despite the worsening crisis, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed on Wednesday that humanitarian aid would continue to be blocked. He said this was part of a pressure tactic designed to prevent Hamas from using the aid to strengthen its position with the population.

“Blocking this aid is one of the main pressure levers preventing Hamas from using it as a tool with the population,” Katz said.

Hamas rejects Israel's ceasefire proposal

While the humanitarian situation worsens, diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire appear to be faltering. On Thursday, Hamas formally rejected the latest truce proposal from Israel. The deal would have included a 45-day ceasefire and the release of 10 hostages currently held by Hamas in exchange for 1,231 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

A Hamas source confirmed that the group submitted a written response to mediators rejecting key elements of the deal. Notably, the proposal required Hamas to disarm in return for a full cessation of the war—an outcome the group strongly opposes.

Instead, Hamas is demanding a “comprehensive” agreement that addresses the full scope of the 18-month-long war. The group insists that any ceasefire must come with long-term guarantees, including an end to the blockade and reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure.

Desperation on the ground

Conditions inside Gaza are deteriorating rapidly. Residents are facing critical shortages of food, drinking water, electricity, and access to healthcare. Hospitals are functioning at minimal capacity, relying on dwindling reserves of fuel and supplies. Infections and disease are on the rise due to overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and the collapse of basic services.

The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for the immediate reopening of border crossings to allow aid to flow into the territory. However, these appeals have so far been unsuccessful.

“Time is running out for millions of people in Gaza,” an OCHA spokesperson said. “We need unimpeded humanitarian access now to prevent further loss of life.”

Political implications of aid blockade

Israel maintains that restricting aid is a necessary strategy to pressure Hamas into making concessions in the ongoing negotiations. But critics argue that the policy amounts to collective punishment and violates international humanitarian law. The blockade has also raised tensions with regional powers and humanitarian partners, many of whom are demanding that Israel allow the entry of aid.

Western diplomats are increasingly voicing concerns behind closed doors. According to one senior European official, “The scale of human suffering is beyond what’s acceptable. We are pushing Israel to open the crossings, but there is resistance at the top level.”

Mediation efforts continue

Despite Hamas’s rejection of Israel’s most recent offer, mediation efforts are ongoing. Egypt, Qatar, and the United States remain central players in facilitating negotiations, although progress has been limited. Talks have reportedly focused on securing phased agreements that could eventually lead to a broader truce, but deep divisions persist.

A key sticking point remains Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, alongside guarantees for reconstruction. Israel, for its part, insists on disarmament and the dismantling of Hamas’s military infrastructure.

With both sides entrenched, international mediators face growing frustration. “We are working around the clock, but both sides are not budging on their core demands,” said a senior Egyptian diplomat involved in the talks.

Humanitarian pause unlikely without new agreement

Absent a new ceasefire agreement, humanitarian agencies see little hope of a temporary pause in hostilities. The last major pause, in late 2023, allowed for a brief influx of aid and the release of hostages, but talks since then have repeatedly broken down.

Hamas’s latest appeal to the international community reflects a growing sense of urgency—and a strategic effort to shift blame for the deepening crisis onto Israel and its allies.

“The international community is required to intervene immediately,” Khalil al-Hayya stated. “There is no excuse for standing by while our people are starved, bombed, and denied basic dignity.”

Mounting pressure but no clear path forward

As Hamas urges global action to end Israel's blockade of Gaza, the international community faces growing pressure to respond. With humanitarian conditions rapidly deteriorating, the cost of inaction may soon become unbearable. While mediation continues behind closed doors, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a worsening crisis with no end in sight.

Without a significant shift in diplomatic positions—or meaningful international pressure—the blockade and the broader conflict appear poised to drag on, prolonging suffering and delaying recovery. As the world watches, the question remains: how much longer can Gaza endure?