Israel’s military announced on Sunday that it would “pause” fighting in a south Gaza area during daylight hours to facilitate aid deliveries. This decision followed months of warnings about famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The “local, tactical pause of military activity” was declared after eight Israeli soldiers were killed in a blast near Rafah and three more troops died in other locations. This marked one of the heaviest losses for the army in its conflict with Hamas militants.
UN agencies and aid groups have repeatedly raised concerns about food and essential supplies shortages in Gaza, worsened by restricted access and the closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Israel has defended its efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, accusing militants of looting supplies and aid workers of failing to distribute them to civilians.
The military stated that the pause in military activity for humanitarian purposes would take place daily from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm along a specific route from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the Salah al-Din road and northwards towards Rafah’s European Hospital. The goal is to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
No reports of strikes or fighting were reported on Sunday morning in Gaza City. The decision was made following discussions with the UN and other organizations, and it comes before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
Israel suffered heavy losses on Saturday, with eight soldiers killed in an explosion near Rafah and others perishing in northern Gaza. Despite the losses, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the need to continue pursuing the goals of the war against Hamas.
The announcement of the pause in military activity comes amid diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza. The broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has also raised concerns about escalating violence in the region.
