VFI News Ceasefire Expired, No Progress with the Deal; Israel Stopped Humanitarian Aid

Ceasefire Expired, No Progress with the Deal; Israel Stopped Humanitarian Aid . . .

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Israeli officials told Israeli media on Sunday, March 2, that they are giving Hamas a few days to reach an agreement on the release of additional hostages.

"We are willing to give a chance of a few days, but we won't let it drag on indefinitely," the officials said. "If we see that the negotiations are not being conducted in good faith, we will return to fighting in Gaza."

Hamas will not agree to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal as requested by Israel, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Qatari media on Sunday in an interview. 

He added that Hamas would only release the remaining Israeli hostages under the terms of the already agreed-upon phased deal.

On Saturday, a four-hour meeting was held with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the end of the meeting, it was decided to adopt the plan proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which stipulates: 

"Israel will agree to a 42-day ceasefire, during which, on the first day, half of the living hostages will be released and half of the bodies of the hostages held by Hamas will be returned, and on the final day, the second group of hostages will be released, and the remaining hostages' bodies will be returned." (JPost /VFI News) 

“Dear God, we fervently pray for a miracle that will allow the return of all the remaining hostages without the release of any terrorists. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You show Your unfailing Love and mercy to the hostages and reignite the hope in the hearts of everyone who needs it. Help us navigate this difficult period and guide our leaders into being efficient, merciful, and insistent in following Your Will.”

Israel has halted the humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Sunday, March 2, shortly after the hostage-ceasefire deal expired. An Israeli official told Israeli media that the move came in full coordination with the Trump administration. 

"With the completion of the first phase of the hostage deal and in light of Hamas's refusal to accept the Witkoff framework for continuing negotiations — which Israel had agreed to — Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that, as of this morning, the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be halted," the PMO statement read. 

"Israel will not allow a ceasefire without the release of our hostages," the statement continued, warning of consequences if Hamas continued in its refusal. 

Later on Sunday, the United States National Security Council spokesperson told the Israel news outlet that Hamas was not interested in a negotiated ceasefire and that Israel had "negotiated in good faith." 

According to Israeli estimates, the 4,200 trucks that entered Gaza every week in the last few weeks will be sufficient for the next few months at least. (JPost/VFI News)

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for freeing some of the hostages so far and we praise Your Name. Thank you for reuniting so many families and allowing them to rejoice. Now we come at Your feet to ask in the name of Your Son, Yeshua, to ensure the release of all remaining hostages, as well as the dignified survival of all innocent Palestinians. You know everyone's needs and we trust that You will provide for all Your creation. May Your Will be done always.”

The European Union condemned the refusal of Hamas to accept the extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to a spokesperson on Sunday evening, March 2.

They added that "Israel's subsequent decision to block the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza could potentially result in humanitarian consequences."

In the same statement, the EU called for a "rapid resumption of negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire" and "expressed its strong support to the mediators."

"A permanent ceasefire would contribute to the release of all remaining Israeli hostages while ensuring the necessary conditions for recovery and reconstruction in Gaza to begin. All parties have a political responsibility to make this a reality," the statement added.

The EU reiterated its calls for "full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid at scale for Palestinians in need and for allowing and facilitating humanitarian workers and international organizations to operate effectively and safely inside Gaza." (JPost/VFI News)

“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.’” - Psalm 37:1-3

Mohammed Darwish, head of the Hamas movement's leadership council, sent a public message ahead of the Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday, February 25, stressing the terror group's commitment to completing the later stages of the ceasefire deal with Israel.

The later stages of the deal include the IDF's full withdrawal from Gaza, as well as rebuilding Gaza and fully opening all border crossings.

Darwish further stressed that Hamas is determined that decisions for "the day after" the war will be made only by "Palestinians," and based on full "national" agreement and support from the Arab world.

He added that the Hamas terror group has expressed complete willingness to discuss any plan that the "Palestinians" agree on, whether it includes a fully agreed-upon "national" government that includes professionals and experts, or the creation of a committee to manage Gaza's affairs, as Egypt proposed.

However, Hamas absolutely opposes any attempt to force the implementation of plans on Gaza, the formation of a government that is not "Palestinian," or the presence of foreign forces. (INN/VFI News)

This beautiful song is a reminder to all that giving thanks and praising God is essential at all times of the day. When we wake, we should praise God for a new day. When we go to sleep, we should thank God for His blessings, and ask Him to allow us to wake up tomorrow. May this song inspire you to focus on gratitude and faithfulness at all times.

Emily Damari, a survivor of Hamas captivity, underwent a series of surgeries after her release to repair severe injuries she sustained on October 7, which had remained untreated throughout her time in captivity. 

Emily was shot in her leg and hand, losing two fingers. "I fully accept my hand, the pain, and the scars. To me, they symbolize freedom, hope, and strength," she said. 

"I was stitched up like a cushion." Damari underwent multiple surgeries at Sheba Medical Center to treat the severe wounds inflicted on her during the October 7 attack.

She was shot at close range in her left hand and right leg in Kfar Aza before being kidnapped. As a result of the gunfire, she lost two fingers and suffered extensive injuries that restricted her movement.

"Hamas provided me with no medical treatment except for an expired bottle of iodine and some bandages," she recounted. 

In an Instagram post, Emily shared more details about her ordeal: "'Hi, I'm Dr. Hamas,' that's what the doctor at Shifa [Hospital] told me before my 'surgery.' Seventeen months have passed since then, and now the moment I've been waiting for has finally arrived—the real surgery at Sheba Medical Center." (JPost/VFI News)

“‘Make a chain, for the land is filled with crimes of blood, and the city is full of violence.” - Ezekiel 7:23

An investigation found last month that one of the subjects in the BBC's “Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone” documentary, 14-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri, was not an average resident of the Palestinian territory but rather a member of "Hamas royalty" and son of Hamas agricultural minister Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri, who himself is related to one of the founding members of the terrorist group.

Last week, the BBC admitted to paying Al-Yazouri's family through the production company behind the documentary, prompting calls for an investigation to determine whether public funds were given to the family members of a proscribed terror group.

On Friday, February 28, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told a British news outlet: "We're aware of a BBC documentary about Gaza and we have received a number of reports raising concerns."

"Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command are currently assessing whether any police action is required in relation to this matter."

Calling for a terror probe into the publicly-funded broadcaster, a spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said: "A national treasure has become a national embarrassment. The BBC has now admitted that license fee funds were paid to the family of a senior Hamas official."

"It has not yet been able to rule out that further payments to Hamas were made as it continues to investigate where hundreds of thousands of pounds went." (BB/VFI News)

“And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother” - Deuteronomy 19:18-19a

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday, March 1, that he had signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, in what he cast as US President Donald Trump's rejection of restrictions placed by predecessor Joe Biden.

The Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel, Rubio said in a statement, adding that it "will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America's long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats."

Rubio said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel as it prepares for the possible return to war in Gaza amid a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.

The State Department statement did not disclose what arms or other assistance were included in the expedited package.

Rubio said the administration was busting a "partial arms embargo" on Israel imposed by former president Joe Biden. (TOI/VFI News)  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a rare warning to the Syrian government on Saturday, March 1, vowing to retaliate if it harms Druze residents in the city of Jaramana, about five miles from Damascus.

"We will not allow the extremist Islamist regime in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms them, it will face consequences from us," Netanyahu and Katz said in a joint statement.

The two leaders said they had instructed the IDF to prepare and deliver a strong warning to Damascus. "We are committed to our Druze brothers in Israel and will do everything necessary to protect their relatives in Syria," they added.

Jaramana, a mixed Druze-Christian city near Damascus, is in a vulnerable position. Israel has closely monitored the situation, concerned that Syria's new leadership could test the Druze population's standing, making it a red line for Jerusalem.

Earlier on Saturday, Syrian reports indicated that the IDF had facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Druze village of Khadr in Syria's Quneitra province. The aid, organized by Israel's Druze religious council, was partially delivered, with more expected to follow. (YNet/VFI News) 

“Dear God, we pray that You assist our Druze brothers and sisters to live peacefully in their country. We pray in Yeshua's name that You take care of all their physical needs and allow them to prosper in the land they live in.”

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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