Israel announces a "tactical pause" in Gaza to allow entry of humanitarian aid

BarcelonaIsrael has announced a "tactical pause" in attacks on some areas of Gaza for this Sunday as part of an "effort to increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering Gaza." In a statement, the Israeli army also confirmed that it will designate "safe routes" for the entry of humanitarian aid convoys from the UN and international organizations distributing "food and medicine to the population throughout the Gaza Strip."

The routes will be open between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Israel's decision comes after a wave of international condemnation for the hunger and malnutrition suffered by the civilian population in Gaza, especially children. On Saturday, Israel announced the airdrop of aid.

In fact, according to Egypt's state television networks Al Qahera and ExtraNews, dozens of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid had already entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing this Sunday morning. The vehicles are transporting food and essential supplies for infrastructure, according to EFE.

Humanitarian organizations on the ground accuse Israel of deliberately causing hunger and shooting at civilians who come to seek food at distribution points. The UN and several international governments have also spoken out against hunger and demanded in recent weeks that Tel Aviv immediately end the humanitarian crisis. The army rejects these accusations of "deliberate hunger."

According to Israel, the pause in military attacks will be in "areas where the IDF is not operating": Al Mawasi, Deir al Balah, and Gaza City. It will be held between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and will begin this Sunday. "The decision has been coordinated with the UN and international organizations after discussions on the matter," the army stated.

Criticism of the UN

The United Nations refugee agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) warned on Saturday that airdrops of humanitarian aid to Gaza "will not reverse the growing hunger." "They are expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians," said UNRWA Secretary-General Philippe Lazzarini in a message on 'X' in which he described the initiative as a "distraction and a smokescreen."

"A man-made famine can only be resolved with political will," he said, demanding an end to the siege of Gaza and the opening of all crossings to ensure "safe movement and dignified access for people in need."