THE Israeli military said it will begin a “tactical pause” in fighting in three areas of Gaza as part of steps to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory.
The military said it would halt fighting in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, three areas of the territory with large populations, to “increase the scale of humanitarian aid” entering the territory.
Israeli forces will pause for 10 hours a day every day at 10am to 8pm local time until further notice, beginning from Sunday.
The Israeli military claimed it was not operating in the three areas where it will begin the “tactical pause,” but there have reportedly been fighting and strikes in each of the regions in recent weeks.
The announcement comes as food experts have warned for months of the risk of famine in Gaza, where Israel has restricted aid.
Images emerging from Gaza in recent days of emaciated children have fanned global criticism of Israel, including by close allies, who have called for an end to the bombardment and aid blockage, which has spawned a humanitarian catastrophe.
On Friday, Israel and the US recalled their negotiating teams, blaming Hamas, and Israel said it was considering “alternative options” to ceasefire talks with the militant group.
After ending the latest ceasefire in March, Israel cut off the entry of food, medicine, fuel and other supplies completely to Gaza for two and a half months.
More than two million Palestinians in Gaza are currently living through a catastrophic humanitarian crisis with the entire population at risk of famine, according to food security experts.
Israel imposed a total aid blockade for 11 weeks starting in March and has allowed on average just over 60 aid trucks into the region to deliver food, fuel and medical supplies since May, far below the 500 to 600 trucks a day the UN said are needed for Gaza which has pushed Palestinians into extreme hunger.
Israel has been widely accused of using food as a weapon of war and of collectively punishing the civilian population by its aid blockade.
More than 1000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to get food, mostly near new US-backed and Israeli-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid sites, the UN human rights office said.
More than 59,700 Palestinians have died since October 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry, more than half of which are women and children.
