Egypt Daily News – Al-Azhar condemned the “cowardly decision of the occupying Zionist government” of Israel to halt the entry of humanitarian and relief aid convoys into the Gaza Strip.
Al-Azhar affirmed in an official statement that “the Zionist enemy, in committing the crime of starving innocent children, women, and men,” is stripping itself of all meanings of mercy and humanitarian values. It added that Israel shows no respect for the sanctity of Ramadan, exploiting its actions to prevent Palestinians from practicing their religious rituals in order to impose further suffering upon them.
Al-Azhar emphasized that preventing the feeding of fasting individuals is “a crime condemned by all believers in God, His justice, and His severe punishment for criminals in this world and the hereafter.” It also stated that the silence of those capable of stopping these atrocities and the support for their perpetrators is “an even greater crime, bringing harsher punishment from God.”
Al-Azhar urged the governments of Islamic countries to use their diplomatic and political influence to “break the oppressive siege on the starving people during Ramadan, which aims to force Palestinians to choose between dying of hunger or migrating and vacating Gaza for this occupying entity.”
It called on Islamic nations and the international community “free from Zionist pressure” to assume their historical and humanitarian responsibilities by working to end this unethical blockade and demanding the immediate opening of border crossings.
Furthermore, Al-Azhar stressed the urgent need to facilitate the entry of relief convoys and aid, as well as “hold this occupying entity accountable for its crimes and bring war criminals responsible for some of the most heinous atrocities in modern history to justice.”
Israel halted the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday, amid an escalating crisis surrounding the ceasefire agreement, which had paused fighting for six weeks. The Hamas movement called on Qatari and Egyptian mediators to intervene.
A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said: “The Prime Minister has decided, effective Sunday morning, to suspend the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza.” It added, “Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas continues its refusal, there will be further consequences.”
Hamas responded to the Israeli government’s decision, describing it as “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime,” urging mediators to pressure Israel to end its “punitive and unethical measures.”
