The Israeli military has announced a “tactical pause” in its offensive in the southern Gaza Strip to allow for increased deliveries of humanitarian aid. The pause will take place daily in the Rafah area to allow trucks to reach the Kerem Shalom crossing and travel safely to deliver supplies to other parts of Gaza. This pause is coordinated with the United Nations and other aid agencies to increase the flow of aid to areas that have been particularly hard-hit by the conflict.
The ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with widespread hunger and hundreds of thousands of people on the brink of famine. From May 6 to June 6, the UN reported a significant decline in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, just as the humanitarian need was growing. Many Palestinians have been displaced and are now living in tent camps with inadequate facilities. Israel has been urged to ease the aid delivery crunch by the international community.
Despite the pause in the southern route, the fighting continues unabated in other parts of Gaza. The latest proposal for a cease-fire has been presented, but differences in opinion between Israel and Hamas have prevented full acceptance of the plan. President Joe Biden has led diplomatic efforts for a halt in the fighting and the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with hundreds of Palestinians and Israeli soldiers killed.
The Israeli military has emphasized that the pause in the southern Gaza Strip does not mean an end to the assault or a change in aid entry in general. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as the conflict persists, with aid agencies working to bring much-needed supplies to the population. Israel has reported that more than 8,600 trucks of all kinds have entered Gaza from various crossings, but issues with coordination and security have hindered the delivery of aid to its final destination.
Criticism has been directed at aid agencies and the UN for logistical problems that have caused aid to pile up at crossings like Kerem Shalom. The agencies deny these claims and point to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas as a major obstacle to timely and safe aid delivery. The new arrangement aims to create an 11-hour window each day for trucks to move in and out of the crossing more efficiently, though security measures for the aid trucks along the highway remain unclear. The international community continues to call for an end to the conflict and increased access to humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.
