In a strategic shift, the Israeli military has declared a daily “tactical pause” in its ongoing southern Gaza offensive to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the beleaguered territory. The pause will occur each day from 8am local time (6am BST) until 7 pm local time (5pm BST) and will continue until further notice, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
This initiative aims to allow aid convoys to reach the Kerem Shalom crossing, a key entry point for supplies controlled by Israel. These convoys will then travel along the Salah a-Din highway, a crucial north-south route within Gaza, to distribute aid to various parts of the Strip. The IDF confirmed that this measure is being coordinated with the United Nations (UN) and other international humanitarian organisations.
The Kerem Shalom crossing has been largely inaccessible since Israeli ground forces launched their offensive in Rafah in early May. The military campaign, which has stretched over eight months, targets the Hamas militant group and has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The UN reports widespread hunger and hundreds of thousands of residents teetering on the edge of famine.
From May 6 to June 6, the UN’s humanitarian office recorded an average of 68 aid vehicles entering Gaza daily, though aid organisations estimate that around 500 vehicles are needed to address the crisis adequately. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for overseeing aid distribution, maintains that there are no restrictions on aid entry. However, it acknowledges that a significant amount of aid has been stuck at border crossings, failing to reach its intended destinations. Israel attributes these delays to unresolved logistical issues by the UN and aid agencies, a claim the UN disputes.
This announcement comes in the wake of a deadly incident on Saturday, where eight Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest episodes for Israeli forces since the offensive began. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 37,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the ongoing military operations.
Israel’s extensive military campaign was triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militant factions on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of hundreds more as hostages.
The implementation of the daily pause has drawn global attention as a potential lifeline for the residents of Gaza, who continue to suffer amid the protracted conflict. Aid groups and international observers will be closely monitoring the situation to assess the effectiveness of these humanitarian corridors and their impact on the ground.
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