JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel endorsed a proposal on Sunday to temporarily extend the truce in Gaza as a bridging measure after the first phase of its ceasefire with Hamas drew to a close.

The first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was set to expire over the weekend without any certainty as to the second phase, which is hoped to bring a more permanent end to the Gaza war.

Negotiations have so far been inconclusive, with the fate of hostages still held in Gaza and the lives of more than two million Palestinians hanging in the balance.

The extension, which according to the Israeli prime minister’s office was put forward by United States President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, would last through Ramadan, due to end late March, and Passover in mid-April.

According to the Israeli statement, the extension would see half of the hostages still in Gaza released on the day the deal comes into effect, with the rest to be released at the end if agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas has previously rejected the idea of an extension in favor of moving on to phase two.

“The only way to achieve stability in the region and the return of the prisoners is to complete the implementation of the agreement... starting with the implementation of the second phase,” Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said in a statement given to Agence France-Presse on Sunday.

The standoff over how to proceed with the truce process comes as world leaders and international organization urge against any resumption of fighting, which after 15 months devastated Gaza, displaced almost the entire population of the coastal strip and sparked a hunger crisis.

United Nations head Antonio Guterres warned against a “catastrophic” return to war and said a “permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages are essential to preventing escalation and averting more devastating consequences for civilians.”

Meanwhile, Israel announced Sunday that it was suspending the entry of supplies into Gaza, and threatened “consequences” for Hamas if it did not accept a proposal for a temporary extension of the truce in the Palestinian territory.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that, from this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be suspended,” his office said in a statement.

“Israel will not accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages. If Hamas persists with its refusal, there will be other consequences.”

In response, Hamas slammed Israel’s move, describing it as a “war crime” and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement,” the group said in a statement.