Gaza City: A senior member of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has issued a stern warning to the Israeli regime regarding its ongoing blockade, describing any negotiations under such circumstances as 'meaningless.'

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Bassem Naeem, quoted by Sama news agency, criticized Israel for employing 'food and starvation' as a weapon amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory. Naeem highlighted that the international community, including UN-affiliated institutions, has labeled such actions as war crimes. Hamas has consistently voiced its opposition to the use of humanitarian aid as a tool for political blackmail or submission to the occupying regime's demands.

In response to Israel's proposal to distribute aid in Gaza under military supervision, Hamas stated that this mechanism aims to evade obligations under the Geneva Convention and perpetuate further crimes. The resistance group expressed gratitude towards the United Nations and international organizations for opposing the Israeli proposal, emphasizing that only relevant international institutions should manage and distribute aid, not the occupying regime or its proxies.

UN officials have also voiced concerns over Israel's military strategies. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed alarm over Israel's plan to intensify military operations in Gaza. Dujarric relayed that Guterres is troubled by decisions that could result in significant civilian casualties and widespread devastation in Gaza. This reaction came after Israeli media reported plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists as part of a ground invasion.

Meanwhile, the European Union has urged an immediate halt to violence and the lifting of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip. Anouar El Anouni, spokesperson for the European Commission, during a press conference in Brussels, expressed concern over Israel's plans to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, though he stopped short of outright condemnation. El Anouni emphasized the importance of including UN agencies in the aid distribution process and called for renewed negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and a lasting resolution to hostilities.