Israel pauses attacks to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza
- Israel's military has begun a daily ten-hour pause in fighting in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid.
- The pause is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the largest population centers of Gaza.
- This action follows increasing global criticism of Israel's restrictions on humanitarian aid during the conflict.
In Gaza, Israel's military initiated a pause in military operations for ten hours each day, specifically targeting the largest population centers, including Gaza City, Deir al Balah, and Al-Mawasi. This humanitarian pause commenced at 10 a.m., allowing for limited aid deliveries to address the escalating food crisis in the region. On the first day of this ceasefire, some aid supplies were successfully delivered, responding to increasing international criticism regarding Israel's humanitarian efforts. The United Nations and other international organizations coordinated with Israeli officials to facilitate the safe passage of aid trucks. As the situation in Gaza deteriorated due to military actions following a conflict that began in October 2023, the World Health Organization highlighted a severe humanitarian crisis, indicating that mass starvation was looming, with a reported 133 deaths due to hunger and malnutrition, including 87 children. The Israeli military denied allegations of starvation in Gaza, attributing the humanitarian chaos to Hamas's actions. Local authorities reported that Israeli military actions resulted in at least 94 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly among those seeking food aid during these operations. International parties, including the U.S., have been actively involved in mediation efforts. However, recent discussions in Doha, Qatar, concluded with the U.S. withdrawing from ceasefire talks. This decision was articulated by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who emphasized that Hamas was not acting in good faith during negotiations. His comments highlighted a frustration with the complexities and challenges of establishing a sustainable ceasefire. In addition to military pauses, Israel announced it would increase water output in Gaza by reconnecting power lines to a desalination plant and designating secure routes for UN aid trucks. Jordanian Armed Forces contributed to aid efforts by conducting airdrops of food supplies into Gaza. Efforts from the Egyptian Red Crescent also saw over 100 trucks of aid enter Gaza, containing significant food resources. These coordinated humanitarian efforts reflect a growing international acknowledgment of the urgent need for support in the region to alleviate suffering amidst ongoing conflict.