Brazil condemns suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza

The Brazilian government has criticized the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Israel to reverse the blockade on goods, medicine, and international aid, calling it a threat to the ceasefire.

"The Brazilian government deplores Israel's decision to suspend humanitarian aid to Gaza, worsening the precarious humanitarian situation and undermining the ceasefire," the ministry said.

Brazil reaffirmed Israel's obligation to maintain basic services and ensure humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The government called the blockade a serious violation of humanitarian rights.

"Brazil urges the immediate reversal of the measure, emphasizing that Israel is obligated—as recognized by the International Court of Justice's 2024 provisional measures—to ensure uninterrupted access to essential services and humanitarian aid in Gaza, without hindrance. The deliberate obstruction and politicization of humanitarian assistance constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law," the statement read.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on both Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations.

"Brazil urges all parties to fully uphold the ceasefire agreement and engage in negotiations to achieve a lasting end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of all hostages, and the establishment of reliable mechanisms for unrestricted and predictable humanitarian aid at the required scale," the statement concluded.

End of the ceasefire

Since Sunday (Mar. 2), the entry of humanitarian aid and other goods into the Gaza Strip has been suspended. Israel made this decision after the Hamas group, which governs the territory, rejected an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. The agreement, which began in January, concluded on Saturday (Mar. 1).

After the suspension, Israel resumed its attacks on the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas Health Ministry, four people were killed and 12 wounded in the first hours following the end of the truce.

Hamas, which accuses Israel of manipulating the terms of the agreement, is demanding a permanent ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of the territory.

The Israeli government, expressing its willingness to extend the agreement until the end of Ramadan (the Muslim holy month) and the Jewish Passover, had offered to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid and continue the exchange of hostages and prisoners.