On Sunday, the Israeli military announced a temporary cessation of hostilities in three heavily populated areas of Gaza: Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi. This pause, lasting for 10 hours each day from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, is intended to enhance the delivery of humanitarian assistance amid increasing hunger and international concern regarding Israel’s military actions during the ongoing 21-month conflict.
The humanitarian initiative has been set against a backdrop of severe food shortages in Gaza, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on aid, which Israel claims are necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting supplies for its own use. Horrific images of malnourished children have sparked global outrage, with even Israel’s allies calling for an end to the violence and the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Although the tactical pause is meant to facilitate aid access in high-density areas, Israel continues its military offensive against Hamas in other regions. Recent ceasefire negotiations had faltered, as Israel withdrew its negotiating teams with the US, indicating a shift towards considering different strategies rather than continuing discussions with Hamas.
Since March, following a previous ceasefire, Israel imposed a stringent blockade on Gaza, halting food, medical supplies, and fuel for 2.5 months, aiming to put pressure on Hamas regarding hostages. Under growing international pressure, restrictions were somewhat eased in May, allowing approximately 4,500 trucks to deliver aid. Yet, the daily average of 69 trucks falls short of the 500 to 600 trucks needed daily according to the United Nations. Meanwhile, logistical challenges have plagued UN aid distribution, with reports of desperate crowds overwhelming supply trucks.
In response to distribution issues involving UN aid, Israel has supported the establishment of other aid distribution channels, including the US-registered Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has set up centres for food distribution.
Tragically, more than 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly died while attempting to obtain food near these new aid sites, according to the UN’s human rights office. Despite ongoing claims by Israel that Hamas improperly uses aid, the UN insists its delivery mechanisms are secure and vital for assisting the civilian population.
The conflict escalated after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties among civilians, and the group currently holds approximately 50 hostages. The toll of the Israeli retaliatory campaign has been devastating, with over 59,700 Palestinians reported killed—including a significant number of women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
As the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows increasingly dire, the international community continues to navigate the complexities of aid delivery and conflict resolution amid rising calls for accountability and emergency relief efforts.