Israel Implements Daily Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza as Aid Deliveries Resume

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that it will implement daily pauses in military activity from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in certain areas of the Gaza Strip where ground operations are not underway, including al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. The army stated that these measures, coordinated with the United Nations and other international organizations, are intended to expand the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Secure routes for aid convoys will also be designated from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to facilitate the safe delivery of food and medicine. The announcement comes as Egypt resumed sending aid trucks into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing for the first time during active combat since the war began, and as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates restarted airdrops of food supplies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to the Ramon Air Force Base, reiterated Israel’s commitment to allowing the entry of what he described as minimal humanitarian supplies, while accusing the United Nations of misrepresenting Israel’s actions. > "It says we are not allowing humanitarian supplies to enter. It is allowed. There are secured convoys. There have been all along, but today it is official. There will be no more excuses. We will continue to fight, we will continue to act until we achieve all of our war goals — until complete victory," Netanyahu said.

The United Nations has previously called for such humanitarian pauses, arguing that limited access to aid has contributed to worsening conditions in Gaza. Gaza’s health ministry reported that at least 56 people, including 22 children, died from malnutrition-related causes in the past three weeks, an increase from previous months. Israeli authorities have denied claims of widespread famine, attributing shortages to what they describe as a lack of cooperation from international organizations.

Some residents in Gaza expressed cautious optimism about the increased aid, with local business owner Tamer Al-Burai saying that people hope this marks a first step toward ending the conflict. However, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the decision, calling it a concession to Hamas and reiterating his opposition to aid deliveries.

In addition to resumed truck deliveries, Jordan and the UAE airdropped 25 tons of aid into Gaza, and the UAE began work on a water pipeline from Egypt to the al-Mawasi area, a project expected to serve around 600,000 people. The IDF also conducted its first airdrop of food into Gaza since the start of the conflict.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the increased aid and called on the UN and international organizations to ensure its distribution. > "Israel is doing its utmost to improve the flow of vital supplies... I call on UN agencies and international organizations... to do their part and ensure that aid reaches those in need without delay," Herzog wrote on social media.

Meanwhile, four IDF soldiers, including a senior commander, were wounded by an explosive device in Rafah, and Israeli troops reported demolishing a Hamas tunnel in northern Gaza. Palestinian health officials said at least 37 people were killed in Israeli strikes from late Saturday into Sunday, including 22 individuals seeking aid.