Tel Aviv, July 27, 2025 — In a move aimed at easing growing concerns over starvation in Gaza, the Israeli military announced a daily pause in military operations across three densely populated areas — Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi. The 10-hour “tactical pause” will allow aid convoys to enter the region more effectively, amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s conduct during the ongoing 21-month conflict.
According to the military, the pause will take place daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. IST), with secure corridors opened to facilitate the delivery of food and other essentials by aid organizations. Though the military claimed it was not actively operating in those specific zones, recent weeks have seen fighting and airstrikes reported there.
The announcement comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. Aid groups and food experts have warned of a growing risk of famine, with images of severely malnourished children prompting global outrage. Over 100 NGOs have called the situation “mass starvation,” and the U.N. says more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since May while attempting to collect aid, many near Israeli-supported distribution centers.
In addition to ground-based aid routes, Israel resumed airdrops over Gaza on Sunday, delivering supplies such as flour, sugar, and canned food. A day earlier, it had confirmed plans to restart airdrop operations.
Despite these new steps, aid delivery remains a major challenge. The U.N. reports that only 4,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza since May, averaging about 69 per day — far below the 500 to 600 daily trucks it says are needed. Many trucks are also intercepted by desperate civilians or gangs, making large-scale distribution difficult.
Efforts to reach a ceasefire remain stalled. On Friday, Israel and the U.S. withdrew their negotiating teams, blaming Hamas for lack of progress and signaling they may explore “alternative options.”
Israel continues to criticize the U.N.’s aid system, alleging it allows Hamas to divert supplies — a claim the U.N. denies. Israel has instead supported independent aid channels, such as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has opened distribution centers across the region.
The Israeli military said Sunday that the new humanitarian measures were being coordinated with international organizations, including the United Nations. For many in Gaza, now crammed into shrinking areas due to the prolonged conflict, these relief efforts are a critical lifeline.
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