On Sunday, the Israeli military implemented daily 10-hour pauses in military activity across three heavily populated areas in Gaza—Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi—to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, as famine concerns intensify and criticism of Israel’s handling of the war increases.
The "tactical pause," in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is intended to improve the flow of aid into the region, according to the Israeli military.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move, calling it a step toward a broader week-long increase in aid access. However, he emphasized the need for continued and large-scale efforts. “Whichever path we choose, we must continue allowing at least minimal humanitarian supplies,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel begins limited pause in Gaza fighting amid mounting hunger crisis
Photos of severely malnourished children have sparked international condemnation, including from allies urging an end to the war. Israel has restricted aid over concerns—without public evidence—that Hamas diverts it to maintain power. With more than 2 million people in increasingly confined spaces, much of Gaza's population depends on humanitarian assistance.
Despite the pauses, Israeli military operations continued in other areas. Health officials in Gaza reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 41 people between Saturday night and Sunday, including 26 individuals who were seeking aid.
Unequal Access to Aid
Palestinian resident Sabreen Hassona said she struggled to find food for her children and was only able to get a small amount of rice. Others, like Samira Yahya in central Gaza, saw planes overhead but received no aid. Some feared that airdropped packages could injure their children.
The Israeli military said it airdropped 28 aid packages and was working with the UN and other agencies to establish safe delivery routes. The UN World Food Program noted it had food supplies sufficient for nearly three months for the entire Gaza population but said almost half a million people face famine-like conditions.
WFP director Antoine Renard confirmed that 80 WFP trucks had entered Gaza, with over 130 more arriving through Jordan, Ashdod, and Egypt. Yet, he stressed that this aid remains insufficient to address current hunger levels.
The World Health Organization reported 63 hunger-related deaths in July, including 24 children under five. Dr. Muneer al-Boursh from Gaza’s Health Ministry urged for immediate and massive deliveries of medical supplies for malnourished children. “Unless this truce becomes a real chance to save lives, it’s meaningless,” he said. “Every delay equals another funeral.”
Ceasefire Talks in Jeopardy
Efforts toward a ceasefire appeared to stall as both Israel and the U.S. withdrew negotiators from Qatar last week, blaming Hamas. Israel has said it will end the war only if Hamas agrees to disarm, surrender, and go into exile—demands the group has rejected. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group had shown "maximum flexibility."
Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Israel of only shifting its approach to ease international criticism, not to save Palestinian lives.
Ongoing Challenges with Aid Delivery
After a March ceasefire ended, Israel halted most aid to Gaza for over two months to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, though more than half are presumed dead. In May, Israel eased the blockade slightly, allowing an average of 69 trucks per day—far below the 500–600 daily trucks the UN says are needed. UN agencies say aid trucks are often overwhelmed by desperate crowds and gangs.
To bypass UN control, Israel has supported a U.S.-registered group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which opened four aid distribution centers in May. The UN reports that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to reach food near these sites since then.
Israel accuses the UN of allowing Hamas to steal aid—a claim the UN strongly denies. “Gaza isn’t an isolated island,” said Kate Phillips-Barrasso of Mercy Corps. “The infrastructure exists to prevent starvation—we just need secure, ongoing access.”
Fatalities in Aid Queues
Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported that Israeli troops killed at least 13 people, including four children and a woman, and injured over 100 as they tried to reach a GHF aid site. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots to deter a “gathering of suspects” near the area before distribution hours.
Elsewhere, 13 people were killed while seeking aid, including in northwestern Gaza City and near the Zikim crossing, where dozens more were injured, according to local health workers.
Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in recent fighting, bringing Israel’s military death toll to 898 since Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages.
Israel's counter-offensive has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry says, noting that over half the casualties are women and children. Though the ministry is under Hamas control, international bodies regard it as the most accurate source for casualty figures.
On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump described images of starving Gaza children as “terrible.”