Israel on Sunday declared a daily 10-hour halt in military operations across parts of Gaza, including the coastal humanitarian zone of Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, effective immediately. The pause, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, coincides with newly established aid corridors to facilitate food and medicine deliveries between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The move comes amid mounting global outcry over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with images of starvation and desperation drawing widespread condemnation.
The announcement follows the collapse of ceasefire and hostage-release talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha, leaving diplomatic efforts in disarray. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Scotland, acknowledged the stalled negotiations but deferred to Israel on its next steps. “They’ll have to make a decision,” he said, offering no prediction on how the conflict might evolve. Meanwhile, Jordan and the UAE conducted their first airdrop in months, delivering 25 tons of aid—though officials stressed that airborne supplies cannot replace land-based relief.
UN officials reported tentative progress, with over 100 aid trucks gathered at crossings after Israel agreed to a one-week surge in assistance. But World Food Programme officials warned that swift Israeli approvals are critical to capitalize on the pauses. “This is progress, but vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine,” said UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, emphasizing the scale of the crisis.
While the daily pauses mark a tactical shift, they fall short of demands for a comprehensive ceasefire. With famine looming and Gaza’s health system in collapse, pressure is building on Israel to address aid bottlenecks. Yet the breakdown in negotiations leaves little hope for a broader truce, prolonging the suffering of civilians caught in the war’s grip.