JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel’s military has announced a temporary pause in fighting during daytime hours along a specific route in southern Gaza to facilitate the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict, now in its ninth month.
This “tactical pause” covers approximately 12 kilometers of road in the Rafah area and is an effort to alleviate some of the dire needs of the Palestinian population that have escalated with Israel’s military activity in Rafah in recent weeks. The initiative does not amount to a full ceasefire in the region, a development that has been urged by various international entities, including the United States.
Beginning at 8 a.m. local time, the daily pause is set to last until 7 p.m. and will persist until further notice. The primary goal is to allow aid trucks to access the Kerem Shalom crossing, a vital entry point for aid, and safely navigate the Salah a-Din highway, a key north-south road in the region. The Kerem Shalom crossing has faced significant congestion since Israeli ground troops entered Rafah in early May.
COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for aid distribution in Gaza, has indicated that the designated route will improve the flow of aid to other parts of Gaza, including Khan Younis, Muwasi, and central Gaza. This move comes as Muslims begin the major Eid Al-Adha holiday and follows deliberations with the United Nations and international aid agencies.
The United Nations expressed appreciation for Israel’s decision to implement the temporary pause but noted that no aid had yet been dispatched from Kerem Shalom. The hope is for Israel to take further tangible steps to facilitate aid operations, such as streamlining checkpoint procedures and ensuring regular fuel deliveries.
As Israel and Hamas weigh a new ceasefire proposal put forward by President Joe Biden, tensions and disagreements persist. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed reservations about the proposal, while some members of his government oppose it entirely. Amidst this backdrop, the military’s announcement of a temporary pause generated controversy, with Netanyahu reportedly labeling the plan unacceptable.
While the fighting continues in southern Gaza, the military has affirmed that the new route will be exclusively utilized for humanitarian aid transportation during daytime hours. The conflict has resulted in casualties, with nine people, including five children, losing their lives in a recent strike in central Gaza.
The ongoing military offensive against Hamas in Gaza has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region, pushing hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of famine. Against this backdrop, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has called for increased pressure to open border crossings, including the Rafah terminal between Gaza and Egypt.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis and improve aid delivery logistics are underway, with the implementation of an 11-hour uninterrupted aid transport window being a key development. The aim is to reduce the need for extensive coordination efforts and enhance the efficiency of aid operations in Gaza.