DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — On Sunday, the Israeli military began enforcing daily 10-hour pauses in fighting across three densely populated areas of Gaza — Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi — in a move aimed at facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries as global concern grows over severe hunger in the enclave.
The Israeli military described the measure as a “tactical pause” from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., intended to improve the flow of aid into the war-torn territory. The decision comes as Israel faces mounting international criticism over the humanitarian toll of its 21-month war with Hamas.
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed the move, noting a “one-week scale-up of aid” and citing apparent easing of movement restrictions. However, he warned that relief must be "sustained, vast, and fast."
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation on the ground remains dire. Palestinians queue for food at community kitchens amid ongoing shortages. “I came to get flour for my children because they haven’t had any for more than a week,” said Sabreen Hassona, who managed to receive just a kilo of rice.
Yet, for many others, aid is still out of reach. “We saw the planes, but not what they dropped,” said Samira Yahya in Zawaida. Concerns remain about the safety and consistency of airdropped supplies, with some fearing injury from falling packages.
Rising Death Toll Despite Pause
Despite the tactical pause, combat operations have continued. According to health officials in Gaza, Israeli strikes killed at least 41 Palestinians between late Saturday and Sunday — 26 of them while seeking aid.
The Israeli military stated that 28 food aid packages were airdropped and said secure corridors for humanitarian delivery are being coordinated with the U.N. and aid organizations. However, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) warned that the measures are still insufficient to counteract the "current starvation" in Gaza.
WFP’s country director Antoine Renard confirmed that around 80 WFP trucks entered Gaza, along with over 130 trucks via Jordan, Ashdod, and Egypt. But this remains far below the 500–600 trucks per day the U.N. says are needed.
In July alone, the World Health Organization reported 63 deaths due to malnutrition, including 24 children under the age of 5.
“This humanitarian truce will mean nothing unless it becomes a real opportunity to save lives,” said Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry. “Every delay is measured by another funeral.”
Uncertain Ceasefire Talks and Shifting Aid Strategy
Efforts toward a ceasefire appear stalled. Both Israel and the U.S. withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar last week, blaming Hamas for the impasse. Israel insists the war will end only if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile — conditions Hamas rejects.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi criticized the latest humanitarian efforts as a political maneuver aimed at improving Israel’s international image, not saving lives.
Since March, Israel has blocked the entry of food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza for over two months, aiming to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Although aid access slightly improved in May, only 69 trucks per day have entered Gaza on average — a fraction of the required amount.
To bypass U.N. control, Israel has backed the U.S.-registered Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which established four aid distribution sites in May. However, the U.N. human rights office reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces near these sites while attempting to obtain food.
“Gaza is not a remote island,” said Kate Phillips-Barrasso of Mercy Corps. “The infrastructure and resources exist to prevent starvation; we just need safe, sustained access.”
Civilians Killed Seeking Aid
Hospitals reported multiple fatalities among civilians seeking aid. Awda Hospital in Nuseirat confirmed 13 deaths, including four children and one woman, and over 100 wounded near a GHF distribution center. Israeli forces claimed they fired warning shots to prevent crowds from approaching the area.
Elsewhere in Gaza, 13 more people were killed while trying to access food, including in northwestern Gaza City and near the Zikim crossing, where over 90 were wounded.
War Toll Continues to Climb
Israel’s military reported two additional soldiers killed, bringing its total losses to 898 since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which left 1,200 Israelis dead — mostly civilians — and 251 hostages taken.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has now resulted in over 59,700 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While the ministry operates under the Hamas government, the U.N. and other organizations consider it the most reliable source for casualty data. More than half of the reported deaths are women and children.
Even as aid trickles in, images of emaciated children continue to circulate globally, drawing condemnation — including from allies. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump called the footage “terrible.”
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