On Sunday, Israel began providing humanitarian aid in Gaza, facilitating 10-hour pauses from military actions to allow the UN to distribute previously halted assistance.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) announced:
Tactical halts in military operations will be implemented today (Sunday) from 10 AM to 8 PM to enhance the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, as directed by political leaders and as part of ongoing efforts led by Cogat.
These pauses will apply in areas where the IDF is not currently active: Al-Mawasi, Deir Al-Balah, and Gaza City will be included daily until further notice.
The decision was made in coordination with the United Nations and international organizations following discussions on the matter.
Furthermore, officially designated safe routes will be established from 6 AM to 11 PM, enabling UN and humanitarian convoys to safely distribute food and medicine to the entire Gaza Strip
The IDF will maintain support for humanitarian efforts while continuing operations against terrorist groups in Gaza to protect Israeli civilians. The IDF is prepared to amplify these activities if necessary.
Up until this weekend, Israel held that there was no starvation in Gaza, asserting that Hamas had been hoarding aid and that organizations like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were still capable of providing assistance.
However, if starvation were to occur, it seems the approach may have shifted, possibly due to pressure to halt actions against Hamas. Israel aims to eliminate the remaining presence of Hamas while trying to secure the release of about 50 Israeli hostages—20 of whom are believed to still be alive. The GHF has not fully resumed operations in northern Gaza, which remains under Hamas control.
