Israel Imposes Daily ‘Tactical Pause’ to Deliver Gaza Aid
The Israeli military has announced a new daily “tactical pause” in its southern Gaza offensive to allow vital humanitarian aid into the battered region. The ceasefire will run every day from 8am to 7pm local time (6am to 5pm BST) until further notice, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed.
Humanitarian Aid to Flow Via Key Kerem Shalom Crossing
The move aims to clear the way for aid convoys to reach the Kerem Shalom crossing, the main supply route controlled by Israel. From there, trucks will travel along Gaza’s crucial Salah a-Din highway to distribute relief across the territory. The IDF says this plan is coordinated with the United Nations and other global humanitarian agencies.
Kerem Shalom has been largely closed since the Israeli ground offensive began in Rafah this May, leaving Gaza’s population in dire straits. The eight-month-long military campaign targets Hamas but has unleashed an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The UN reports widespread hunger and warns that hundreds of thousands of Gazans are on the brink of famine.
Aid Struggles to Reach Those in Need
Between May 6 and June 6, just 68 aid vehicles entered Gaza on average daily — a fraction of the estimated 500 trucks needed to ease the crisis. Israel’s COGAT body claims it has placed no restrictions on aid, blaming delays on logistical hiccups by the UN and aid groups. The UN disputes this, underlining the critical bottleneck at border crossings.
Conflict Death Toll Mounts Amid Deadly Clashes
The announcement comes days after a deadly blast killed eight Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza, marking one of the fiercest blows to Israeli forces since the offensive began. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 37,000 Palestinian deaths in ongoing hostilities.
The conflict erupted after a horrific Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds taken hostage. This daily pause offers a glimmer of hope for Gaza’s civilians, but aid groups and international observers will be watching closely to see if the humanitarian lifeline holds.
