🇮🇱 Israel Implements Tactical Pause in Gaza Fighting
- What: Israel announced daily 10-hour tactical pauses in parts of southern Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to pass through.
- Why: The move comes amid intensifying international pressure over starvation and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
- Aid Corridor: These corridors are intended to “refute claims of intentional starvation,” according to Israeli officials.
🆘 Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
- Deaths from Hunger: The Gaza Health Ministry reports 133 deaths from malnutrition, including 87 children, since the war began.
- Latest Reports: Six more died in the last 24 hours alone.
- Aid Drops: Israel and UAE continue air-dropping food, though aid agencies warn that these are insufficient and dangerous.
- Fights Over Food: Witnesses reported chaos and violence as people fought for food during recent airdrops.
🇵🇸 Tragedy During Aid Distribution
- Deadly Incident: At least nine Palestinians were killed and 54 wounded after Israeli forces reportedly fired on civilians waiting for aid along Salah al-Din Street.
- IDF Response: The Israeli military has not yet commented. Similar incidents have occurred previously, with the IDF claiming only “warning shots” were used.
🇮🇱 Internal Political Tensions in Israel
- Ben-Gvir Left Out: Far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he was excluded from decisions about humanitarian aid.
- Criticism: He called the aid drop a “shame and disgrace” and vowed to fight the policy.
📣 Reactions from Former Leaders & NGOs
- Ehud Olmert (Former Israeli PM): Called the pause “too little, too late” and said it proves “we didn’t do enough.”
- WFP: Welcomed the tactical pause but said only a full ceasefire will allow aid to reach all civilians safely and consistently.
- Norwegian Refugee Council: Warned that aid air drops have injured people and caused chaos on the ground.
🌍 International and Regional Response
- UK PM Starmer: Plans to raise Gaza issue during his meeting with US President Donald Trump tomorrow.
- Jordan and Egypt: Both have begun moving large aid convoys toward Gaza. Jordan posted videos showing long lines of trucks.