Military halts operations to provide humanitarian relief in al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah, and Gaza City from 10am to 8pm. Israel implements temporary ceasefires and sets safe paths for aid distribution. The Israeli armed forces have commenced a daily ceasefire in specific parts of Gaza, aiming to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. According to an official statement, military operations are being halted for humanitarian purposes in the areas of al-Mawasi, Deir el-Balah, and Gaza City from 10 am (07:00 GMT) to 8 pm local time each day, starting Sunday and continuing indefinitely.
Although the Israeli military asserts it typically avoids operations in these regions, recent weeks have witnessed combat and airstrikes there. To facilitate the delivery of assistance, Israel is establishing secure routes for aid organizations to supply food and necessities across Gaza, despite Israeli government statements dismissing claims of severe food shortages in the besieged territory. Additionally, the military announced aerial aid drops into Gaza, distributing essentials such as flour, sugar, and canned goods to mitigate escalating hunger. This decision follows protracted calls from aid agencies, human rights advocates, and multiple governments highlighting the risk of famine as Israel maintained stringent controls on vital aid to Gaza.
The global community, including some of Israel’s key allies, has increasingly criticized the situation as numerous Palestinians have died while attempting to access food distribution centers managed by an entity supported by Israel and the U.S. In a related incident, the Israeli military intercepted a humanitarian vessel heading to Gaza, seeking to circumvent the Israeli blockade. Twenty-one international activists and journalists were detained, and all supplies, including baby formula, food, and medical items, were confiscated, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The organization reported that the vessel, Handala, was forcefully stopped in international waters approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) from Gaza late Saturday night.
Aid agencies reported last week that severe hunger is affecting Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, with food supplies dwindling since Israel ceased deliveries in March, only to resume with restrictions in May. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, dozens of Palestinians have succumbed to malnutrition recently, totaling 127 deaths, including 85 children, since the conflict began. At least five-starved individuals were reported on Saturday alone. Reporting from Jordan due to regional restrictions on her network, a journalist noted that despite ongoing denials from Israel about causing starvation in Gaza, they are now implementing measures geared toward improving humanitarian conditions.
Israel has also pointed fingers at the United Nations for allegedly failing to distribute aid, while the UN claims restrictions imposed by Israel have obstructed their efforts. The Israeli military’s declaration to pause hostilities followed directives from Israel’s political leadership after discussions within the prime minister’s security cabinet. Israeli forces have reportedly claimed the lives of at least 15 Palestinians since early Sunday, with 71 fatalities, including 42 individuals in search of aid, recorded the previous day.
