Facing Pressure, Israel Opens Aid Routes In Gaza With Daily Ceasefire
The Israeli military said the pause in fighting would take place from 10 am to 8 pm local time each day in three densely populated area; Gaza City, Deir al-Balah & Al-Muwasi.
Under growing international pressure and rising concerns over famine in Gaza, Israel on Sunday began a daily 'tactical pause" in parts of the territory to allow humanitarian aid to flow more freely.
The Israeli military said the pause in fighting would take place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time each day in three densely populated areas: Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Al-Muwasi. The goal, according to the military, is to 'increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip."
Secure land routes are being established for the United Nations and aid groups to deliver food and medical supplies. Israel also said it had carried out airdrops of food aid, including flour, sugar, and canned goods.
Israel strongly rejected claims that it is using starvation as a weapon of war, a charge levelled by some international critics as images of malnourished children in Gaza continue to circulate globally. It said the latest aid steps were made in coordination with the UN and other humanitarian agencies.
The UN's World Food Programme welcomed the move but stressed that much more needs to be done. The agency estimates that a third of Gaza's population is going days without food, and around 500,000 people are facing famine-like conditions. It said it has enough food to support the entire population for nearly three months, but delivery remains a major challenge.
Despite the pause, Israel's military operations continue in other areas. Palestinian health officials reported at least 27 people killed in separate Israeli strikes around the same time the pause began.
The situation remains dire. Gaza's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes have killed over 59,700 people since the war began. Israel says it is targeting Hamas fighters, but Gaza officials say more than half of the dead are women and children.
The conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel says it will only agree to a full ceasefire if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile, terms the militant group has rejected.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks appear to have stalled, with both Israel and the US recalling negotiators last week.
(With inputs from agencies)
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First Published:
July 27, 2025, 17:28 IST
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