On Sunday, the Israeli military implemented daily 10-hour pauses in military activity across three heavily populated areas in Gaza—Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi—to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, as famine concerns intensify and criticism of Israel’s handling of the war increases.
The "tactical pause," in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is intended to improve the flow of aid into the region, according to the Israeli military.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move, calling it a step toward a broader week-long increase in aid access. However, he emphasized the need for continued and large-scale efforts. “Whichever path we choose, we must continue allowing at least minimal humanitarian supplies,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
69 trucks per day—far below the 500–600 daily trucks the UN says are needed. UN agencies say aid trucks are often overwhelmed by desperate crowds and gangs.
To bypass UN control, Israel has supported a U.S.-registered group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which opened four aid distribution centers in May. The UN reports that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to reach food near these sites since then.
Israel accuses the UN of allowing Hamas to steal aid—a claim the UN strongly denies. “Gaza isn’t an isolated island,” said Kate Phillips-Barrasso of Mercy Corps. “The infrastructure exists to prevent starvation—we just need secure, ongoing access.”
Fatalities in Aid Queues
Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported that Israeli troops killed at least 13 people, including four children and a woman, and injured over 100 as they tried to reach a GHF aid site. The Israeli military said it fired warning shots to deter a “gathering of suspects” near the area before distribution hours.
Elsewhere, 13 people were killed while seeking aid, including in northwestern Gaza City and near the Zikim crossing, where dozens more were injured, according to local health workers.
Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in recent fighting, bringing Israel’s military death toll to 898 since Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages.
Israel's counter-offensive has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, Gaza’s Health Ministry says, noting that over half the casualties are women and children. Though the ministry is under Hamas control, international bodies regard it as the most accurate source for casualty figures.
On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump described images of starving Gaza children as “terrible.”