The Israeli military has declared a daily “tactical pause” in its Gaza operations to facilitate increased humanitarian aid flow into the territory. According to an IDF statement published on Telegram, the pause will be in effect from 10:00 to 20:00 local time (09:00-19:00 Italian time) each day until further notice.
The pause applies specifically to areas where the IDF is not currently operating: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Egyptian state-aligned media reported that aid trucks began entering Gaza today through the Rafah crossing, with Al-Qahera News broadcasting footage of convoys moving in the border area.
The IDF also announced it airdropped humanitarian aid over Gaza overnight. Conducted in coordination with international organizations and led by the Israeli Government Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the operation delivered seven packages containing flour, sugar, and canned food.
However, an incident occurred during the airdrop. Al Jazeera reported that one aid pallet struck a displaced persons’ tent near Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, injuring eleven people. This follows reports by Gaza hospitals, cited by Haaretz, that 38 people were killed in the Strip on Sunday morning, including 24 awaiting aid. The Al-Awda hospital in northern Gaza reported at least nine dead and around 50 injured among aid seekers near the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza.
Munir Al-Barsh, Director General of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry, stated via Telegram that the truce must serve to save lives: “Every delay translates into a new funeral, every silence means another child dying in their mother’s arms without medicine or milk.” He urgently called for the medical evacuation of critically injured patients – including those with brain and spinal injuries requiring unavailable complex interventions and patients facing imminent death without transfer – and the immediate entry of medical supplies and food. Al-Barsh specified needs include therapeutic milk for infants, high-protein/calorie supplements (like Inshur), concentrated glucose solutions, ready-to-use therapeutic foods, IV antibiotics, and protein sources (meat, eggs, dairy, sugar).
In related developments, COGAT confirmed construction has begun on a water pipeline linking an Egyptian desalination plant to the al-Mawasi coastal area in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians reside. Approved weeks ago following a UAE initiative, the pipeline is expected to serve approximately 600,000 residents independently of Israeli water lines. UAE representatives began transferring equipment for the project from Egypt via the Kerem Shalom crossing under supervision and security inspection today, with construction set to commence in the coming days and last several weeks.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly told families of Israeli hostages that the US “must change its strategy in Gaza,” according to Axios correspondent Barak Ravid citing meeting sources.