Israel Halts Daily Gaza Fighting as Aid Airdrops Begin

Israel Announces Temporary Ceasefire and Aid Corridors in Gaza

Israel has announced a temporary halt in military operations for 10 hours each day in certain parts of Gaza, along with the establishment of new aid corridors. This move comes as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdropped supplies into the enclave, drawing global attention to the dire conditions faced by Palestinians.

The decision to pause military activity is aimed at allowing humanitarian efforts to proceed. The ceasefire will be in effect daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (0700-1700 GMT) in specific areas, including Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Additionally, secure routes for aid convoys will be available between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., starting on Sunday.

The United Nations food aid agency is seeking quick approvals from Israel for its trucks to enter Gaza, so it can take advantage of these humanitarian pauses. A senior World Food Programme official emphasized that while this is a positive step, much more aid is needed to prevent famine and a health crisis.

Jordan and the UAE conducted their first airdrop in months, delivering 25 tons of aid into Gaza. However, a Jordanian official noted that this is not a long-term solution and that land-based delivery remains essential. Reports indicate that some aid boxes fell during the airdrop, injuring at least 10 people.

A separate project by the UAE aims to establish a pipeline that will bring water from a desalination facility in Egypt to approximately 600,000 Gazans along the coast. Work on this initiative is expected to begin in the coming days.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Recent weeks have seen a surge in deaths due to malnutrition in Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, there were six new deaths attributed to malnutrition over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths since the war began in 2023 to 133, including 87 children. One tragic case involved a 5-month-old baby named Zainab Abu Haleeb, who died of malnutrition at Nasser Hospital.

Her mother, Israa Abu Haleeb, expressed her anguish, saying, "Three months inside the hospital and this is what I get in return, that she is dead." The baby's father held her body wrapped in a white shroud, highlighting the heartbreaking reality of the situation.

The Egyptian Red Crescent is sending over 100 trucks carrying more than 1,200 metric tons of food to southern Gaza. However, some of these supplies were reportedly looted in the Khan Younis area, further complicating relief efforts.

International Response and Concerns

Aid groups have warned of widespread hunger among Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, leading to increased international concern about the humanitarian situation. A group of 25 states, including Britain, France, and Canada, recently stated that Israel's denial of aid was unacceptable.

Despite these concerns, the Israeli military spokesperson claimed that the country is committed to international law and monitors the humanitarian situation daily. Brigadier General Effie Defrin acknowledged that conditions in Gaza are critical but denied that there is starvation.

Israel cut off aid to Gaza starting in March to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, and reopened aid with restrictions in May. The government claims it allows aid entry but insists on preventing it from being diverted by militants, blaming Hamas for the suffering of Gazans.

Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Conflict

Many Gazans expressed cautious relief at the announcement of the temporary ceasefire, but they emphasized that the fighting must end. Tamer Al-Burai, a business owner, said, "People are happy that large amounts of food aid will come into Gaza. We hope today marks a first step in ending this war that burned everything up."

However, the conflict continues. Health officials at Al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Hospitals reported that Israeli firing killed at least 17 people waiting for aid trucks. Israel's military stated that it fired warning shots at suspects endangering troops and was unaware of any casualties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would continue to allow humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza regardless of ongoing military actions or ceasefire negotiations. He vowed to press on with the campaign until achieving "complete victory."

Hamas, on the other hand, dismissed the ceasefire as not a genuine humanitarian truce. Hamas official Ali Baraka stated, "What is happening isn't a humanitarian truce."

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Since then, Israel's offensive has resulted in nearly 60,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, with much of the enclave reduced to ruins and nearly the entire population displaced.