Israel Implements Daily Pauses in Gaza Offensive to Allow Limited Aid Amid International Pressure

Israel has started pausing military operations for 10 hours each day in several of Gaza's largest population centers, aiming to allow more humanitarian aid into the region. The daily pauses, which began Sunday, run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Gaza City, Deir al Balah, and Al-Mawasi, areas where Palestinians have been instructed to seek shelter.

The move comes amid increased international criticism over restrictions on aid deliveries, with the World Health Organization warning of mass starvation and the head of the U.N. World Food Programme describing the hunger crisis as reaching "new and astonishing levels of desperation." According to Gaza's health ministry, at least 133 Palestinians, including 87 children, have died from hunger and malnutrition since October 2023.

Israel disputes claims of starvation, attributing the crisis to Hamas and the United Nations. Israeli government spokesperson Elon Levy said, "The aid is here in Israel. Israel is urging the United Nations to do its job. Here are hundreds and hundreds of pallets of aid that the U.N. is letting rot in the sun. And instead of taking responsibility for that failure, they're blaming Israel, and pretending that Israel isn't letting this aid in altogether."

The U.N. World Food Programme stated that it has only been able to deliver a small fraction of the necessary aid since May 21, citing extreme risks to both civilians and aid workers. Israeli officials have also blamed Hamas for creating chaos at aid distribution points. Local health authorities reported that at least 94 Palestinians seeking food aid were killed by Israeli military action last Sunday.

Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, said that Israeli forces fired on desperate crowds rushing for aid trucks. Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the pause but stress that only a ceasefire would allow the required volume of aid to reach Gaza.

Meanwhile, the United States withdrew from the latest ceasefire talks in Doha, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff stating that Hamas "does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," and that the U.S. would consider alternative options to address the crisis and secure the release of hostages.

Israel said the decision to pause fighting was coordinated with the U.N. and other international groups. The government announced the resumption of airdrops of food supplies and increased water output by reconnecting a power line to a desalination plant. Secure routes for U.N. aid trucks have also been designated.

Additional aid efforts included three airdrops by the Jordanian Armed Forces, delivering 25 tons of food and humanitarian supplies, and a convoy of over 100 Egyptian Red Crescent trucks carrying more than 1,200 tons of food and other essentials. Over the weekend, Israel also intercepted an aid ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, preventing it from reaching Gaza.