Israel Announces Humanitarian Corridors and Aid Deliveries to Gaza Amid International Pressure

Israel has announced plans to open humanitarian corridors into Gaza and allow the resumption of aid deliveries, following increasing international calls to address a worsening hunger crisis in the territory. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Saturday that they had permitted air drops of humanitarian supplies, with the first delivery including flour, sugar, and canned food from international organizations.

The IDF said it had "begun a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip" and was prepared to implement pauses in military activity in densely populated areas to facilitate aid. The military also reported the restoration of power to a desalination plant in Gaza, which it said would provide water to approximately 900,000 residents.

Aid deliveries had been severely restricted since March, with new limitations imposed in May. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by Israel and the United States, has been allowed to operate in the territory. Despite these measures, there have been frequent reports of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid, with witnesses telling the BBC that most were shot by Israeli forces.

The United Nations, aid organizations, and some of Israel's allies have attributed the deepening food crisis to the restrictions on aid, urging Israel to allow unrestricted entry and distribution. The Hamas-run health ministry reported that dozens have died from malnutrition in recent days, including 85 children, bringing the toll to 125. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the situation as "man-made mass starvation."

The IDF maintains that responsibility for distributing food in Gaza lies with the UN and international aid agencies, emphasizing that these organizations must ensure aid does not reach Hamas.