With the growing public outcry over the dire situation in Gaza, which has been gripped by famine, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have declared a “tactical pause,” Politico reports.
The Israeli military announced on the 27th of July that it would temporarily halt attacks in the Gaza Strip and establish humanitarian corridors. The decision comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with accusations that the humanitarian crisis in the enclave has been deliberately created to harm the remaining Palestinians there.
The IDF has announced that it will suspend operations in several areas of the enclave from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and will allow food and medical supplies to enter from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The “tactical pause” would only apply to areas where there is no direct fighting, and it did not specify what military operations would be suspended.
Israel is facing growing international pressure to increase the volume of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. Aid groups have accused Israel of intercepting convoys, forcing Gazans to rely on aid distribution points in Israeli-controlled areas run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Gaza officials and former GHF workers have accused Israeli soldiers of opening fire on civilians and have said that civilians are being killed when they arrive for aid.
Since the start of the war, 127 people have died of starvation, including 85 children.
Israel began airdropping aid packages on the 27th of July to alleviate food shortages.
As the crisis in the Middle East escalates, Western leaders have become increasingly critical of Israel’s leadership and distanced themselves from the fighting in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week his decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, prompting similar announcements from Britain, Germany and Italy. Norway, Ireland and Spain have already recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024.
Israel and the United States dropped out from peace talks on the 25th of July, saying Hamas was not interested in holding them.
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