The Israeli military has announced a daily “tactical pause of military activity” along a road in southern Gaza to allow for more humanitarian aid to enter the region. This decision comes after pressure from allies, including the US, to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The pauses, which began on Saturday, will last from 08:00 to 19:00 local time and will only affect a specific route leading northwards from the Kerem Shalom crossing. This route is crucial for delivering aid to the European Hospital near the city of Khan Younis.
Despite this humanitarian pause, the IDF clarified that there is no ceasefire in the southern Gaza Strip, and combat will continue in Rafah. The operation in Rafah is aimed at ousting Hamas from what Israel calls the group’s “last major stronghold”.
International agencies have raised concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with the World Health Organization warning of “catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions”. The number of aid trucks entering Gaza remains below what is required, with OCHA reporting a decrease in the daily average number of trucks delivering aid.
The IDF also reported a deadly incident in Rafah, where eight Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion during an operation. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war against Hamas, emphasizing the goals of eliminating Hamas’ capabilities and ensuring the safety of Israeli residents.
Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, with the US backing a plan for a surge in humanitarian assistance for Gaza. Hamas has made counter-proposals, indicating that a resolution to the conflict is still in progress.
