Israel halts aid to Gaza after the cease-fire phase ends, pressuring Hamas for a hostage deal. The move raises fears of worsening humanitarian crisis amid Ramadan

Israel has called for Hamas to accept a temporary extension of the existing cease-fire deal, and to release more hostages.

Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the cease-fire agreement hours after its first phase ended. It called the decision to cut off aid “cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack” on the truce, which took hold in January after more than a year of negotiations. Both sides stopped short of saying the cease-fire had ended.