Israel Begins Daily Tactical Pause, Humanitarian Aid Access in Gaza

Amid increasing international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Israeli military has declared a daily tactical pause in hostilities from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in three areas of Gaza—Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Al-Mawasi—to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. Israel has opened designated secure routes for UN and humanitarian convoys and has begun airdropping supplies such as flour, sugar, and canned food, aiming to counter claims of deliberate starvation. Despite these efforts, UN officials, including Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA, have criticized air drops as expensive, ineffective, and insufficient to address the severe hunger facing Gaza's population. Aid agencies report that although about 4,500 trucks have entered Gaza since May, the number remains far below the UN's estimated daily need, and distribution is hampered by seizures of aid by crowds and gangs. Egyptian media have reported that aid is also entering Gaza from Egypt, and the pause has been coordinated with the UN and international organizations, though some Israeli officials have criticized the decision. The Israeli military maintains its operations against Palestinian armed groups continue alongside these humanitarian efforts.