Gaza/Jerusalem, July 27, 2025: Facing mounting international criticism over a deepening hunger crisis in Gaza, Israel has announced daily humanitarian pauses in military operations across three regions of the besieged territory. The move comes amid claims by Israeli authorities that they are stepping up efforts to address the unfolding humanitarian disaster.
According to a report by Reuters, the Israeli military stated it would temporarily halt combat operations each day in three specific areas: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. The pause will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time (12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time) until further notice.
The Israeli army further announced that designated safe routes within these areas would remain open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. to allow movement of civilians and aid convoys.
In a separate report by AFP, Israel claimed it had begun airdropping humanitarian supplies into Gaza in response to global outrage over widespread hunger and famine warnings.
“In an effort to facilitate and enhance humanitarian aid access to Gaza, aerial deliveries of relief supplies have been carried out,” the Israeli military said in a statement issued via Telegram. It added that these steps were intended to improve conditions on the ground and counter accusations that Israel was deliberately creating famine in the enclave.
However, aid agencies and UN officials have cast serious doubts over the effectiveness of the airdrops. They argue that the method is not only inadequate but also potentially dangerous for the famine-stricken population.
“Air drops cannot end severe hunger. They are expensive, inefficient, and in some cases, deadly for starving civilians,” said Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly urged Israel to remove restrictions on land access routes for aid convoys, calling ground transport the only viable method for delivering adequate food, water, and medical supplies to Gaza’s more than two million besieged residents.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Egypt’s state-backed Cairo News TV said aid trucks had begun moving from Egypt into Gaza after international warnings about famine risks. Social media videos, shared by Al Jazeera, showed convoys of aid trucks entering Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.
Reports also emerged of humanitarian shipments entering Gaza through Jordan. According to Al Jazeera, Jordan’s Public Security Directorate released a video showing aid-laden trucks making their way toward Gaza via Jordanian routes.
In response to the developments, Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the temporary ceasefires.
“I commend the significant steps taken by the Israeli leadership and military to strengthen humanitarian efforts in Gaza, especially the decision to implement humanitarian pauses aimed at protecting civilian lives and ensuring the safe delivery of aid,” Herzog said in a statement carried by Al Jazeera.
The Israeli president also called on the United Nations to fulfill its role, blaming the agency’s “ineffective operations” and Hamas’s alleged misuse of aid for the worsening food crisis in Gaza.
