The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced overnight humanitarian airdrops over the Gaza Strip. Conducted in coordination with international organizations and led by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the drops delivered seven pallets containing flour, sugar, and canned food, according to an IDF Telegram statement.
However, Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that eleven people were injured when one airdropped pallet struck a displaced persons’ tent near Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.
This development follows Israel’s announcement Friday of renewed aid deliveries and humanitarian pauses in parts of Gaza, citing intense international pressure. Concurrently, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly told families of Israeli hostages that the US “must change its strategy in Gaza,” as cited by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani that a humanitarian ceasefire would commence Sunday morning until evening in several Gaza population centers, including the north. Sa’ar confirmed the IDF would permit safe UN and humanitarian organization access to these areas, partly responding to an Italian request. He stated such pauses would recur as needed to restore adequate food and medicine supplies throughout Gaza.
The IDF also authorized the resumption of humanitarian airdrops with international partners and the provision of desalinated water (up to 20,000 cubic meters) using power lines from Israel. This occurs amid dire warnings; Hamas described skeletal children, corpses in rubble and hospitals, and starvation as potential preludes to an “unprecedented imminent humanitarian disaster.” It claimed 100,000 children under two, including 40,000 infants, risk imminent death due to lack of milk, nutritional supplements, closed crossings, and blocked basic supplies. Health officials reported at least five starvation deaths in 24 hours, including three infants – one just a week old.
The UK, France, and Germany, labelling the humanitarian situation “appalling,” announced a joint plan for Gaza airdrops with partners like Jordan and Israeli approval. UK sources termed it “desperate,” while the UN criticized airdrops as “inefficient and costly,” calling instead for Israel to lift the siege, open crossings, and ensure safe aid access. UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini emphasized ground transport is “easier, more effective, faster, cheaper, and safer.” Israel counters that Hamas diverts aid, though the New York Times cited four Israeli sources, including two senior officers, stating Israel lacks proof of systematic UN aid looting by Palestinian militants. Similarly, USAID found no evidence of systematic theft after reviewing 156 cases of lost or looted US-funded supplies.
Israel’s COGAT stated aid trucks continue entering Gaza – approximately 90 carrying food arrived Friday – while blaming UN inefficiency for famine risks, citing “hundreds of UN aid pallets awaiting collection.” Amid mutual accusations, essential goods languish for weeks, deteriorating in the sun. The IDF confirmed destroying “tens of thousands” of expired humanitarian items, including large quantities of food for Gazans, left too long on the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing, stating they were “buried and even burned.” COGAT warned thousands more exposed parcels face destruction if not moved soon.
As aid chaos persists and bombardments continue across Gaza, the reported death toll nears 60,000 since the war began. Prospects for a broader truce remain distant, underscored by Donald Trump’s recent accusation that Hamas “doesn’t really want” a ceasefire and hostage-prisoner deal. Hamas official Taher al-Nunu expressed surprise at both Trump’s remarks, calling them ill-timed given negotiation progress, and the withdrawal of Israeli and US negotiation teams from Doha.