The Israeli army began a limited break in the fighting in three populated areas of Gaza on Sunday for 10 hours a day, being part of a series of measures launched as concerns concerning hunger in the mounting of the territory and as Israel faces a wave of international criticism on its conduct in the 21 -month war.
The army said that it would start a “tactical break” in the city of Gaza, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, three areas of the territory with large populations, to “increase the extent of humanitarian aid” entering the territory.
The break starts every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, until further notice.
The soldiers also said that he would set up secure routes for helping aid and that he had made AirMdrops of assistance to Gaza, which included assistance packages with flour, sugar and canned food.
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Food experts have warned for months of the risk of famine in Gaza, where Israel has restricted aid because it says that Hamas Siphons outside the goods to strengthen its rule, without providing evidence for this complaint. Images emerging from Gaza in recent days of emaciated children have attracted the world criticism of Israel, including by close allies, who called at the end of the war and the humanitarian disaster that it generated.
Israel said the new measures was held when she continued her offensive against Hamas in other regions. Before the break, Gaza health officials said that at least 16 Palestinians had been killed in distinct strikes.
“This [humanitarian] Truce will not mean anything if it does not turn into a real opportunity to save lives, “said Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, director general of the Ministry of Health of Gaza, who called for a flood of medical supplies and other goods to help treat the malnutrition of children.
“Each delay is measured by another funeral.”
The local break in the fighting occurred a few days after the cease-fire efforts between Israel and Hamas seemed to be in doubt. On Friday, Israel and the United States recalled their negotiation teams, smoking Hamas and Israel said it was considering “alternative options” for ceasefire discussions with the militant group.
Under international pressure, Israel slightly attenuated the blockade in May. Since then, it has enabled around 4,500 trucks for United Nations and other people’s help groups. However, the average of 69 trucks per day is below 500 to 600 trucks per UN day that are necessary for Gaza.
The UN says that he could not distribute a large part of the help because the hungry crowds and gangs take most of his arriving trucks.
In order to divert the delivery of UN control aid, Israel supported the Gaza humanitarian foundation registered in the United States, which opened four centers distributing boxes of food supplies. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May, while trying to obtain food, mainly near these new aid sites, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
Israel made its doors against the UN throughout the war, saying that its system allowed Hamas to steal aid. The UN denies this complaint and says that its delivery mechanism was the best way to help the Palestinians.
The army said the new steps had been made in coordination with the UN and other humanitarian groups. There was no immediate UN comment.
A large part of the Gaza population, pressed by fighting in ever smaller plots of land, is now based on aid.
The last war began with the attack led by Hamas against southern Israel in October 2023, when activists killed 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages. Hamas still has 50 hostages, more than half of them believed dead.
Israel’s reprisal offensive killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. His count does not distinguish between activists and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children.
