Indonesia Condemns Israel's Efforts To Weaken The Armistice Agreement In The Gaza Strip.

JAKARTA - Indonesia has condemned Israel's efforts to weaken the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as well as the decision to stop the flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Monday, March 3, that Indonesia was condemning Israel's efforts to weaken the ceasefire agreement by violating initial provisions, unilaterally demanding an extension of the first phase, and avoiding a second phase of discussion.

Furthermore, the statement also said that blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza and making it a bargaining chip in ceasefire negotiations constitutes a war crime and a marked violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.

It is known that the first phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel ended on March 1.

In the first phase, Hamas handed over 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais who were repatriated in unscheduled release, in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and prisoners from Israeli prisons and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from several positions in Gaza.

Under the initial agreement, the second phase is meant to begin negotiations over the release of the remaining 59 hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the end of the war.

But the negotiations never started and Israel said all its hostages had to be sent home for the battle to stop.

"Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, announcing the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip would be halted.

"If Hamas continues to refuse, there will be additional consequences."

Hamas denounced Israel's actions as "extortion" and "open coup against the agreement".

"We ask the mediator to suppress the occupation to fulfill its obligations under the agreement, at all stages," he said, adding the only way to regain the hostages was to comply with the agreement and start negotiations for the second phase.

Commenting on the suspension of aid entry, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said the decision would affect ceasefire negotiations, adding his group "does not respond to pressure."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Indonesia urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to immediately allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and continue the second phase of negotiations in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

The statement also stated that Indonesia reaffirmed its steadfast support for the Two-State Solution as the only way to sustainable peace in the region.