With international criticism at an all-time high and haunting images of starving children circulating globally, Israel has announced a temporary pause in its military operations in key areas of Gaza.
The move comes as world leaders and humanitarian organizations call for immediate action to address the deepening hunger crisis gripping the region.
Daily Humanitarian Window Introduced in Gaza
The Israeli military revealed that it will now implement a daily “tactical pause” in hostilities in three densely populated parts of Gaza—Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi.
This break in fighting, which runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is aimed at increasing the flow of life-saving aid, particularly food, into these heavily affected areas.
According to the military, this step was taken in coordination with the United Nations and other humanitarian groups.
Israel has also begun conducting air drops of essential items such as flour, sugar, and canned goods, including some sent with support from the UK.
Still, many international observers argue this response has come too late.
Starmer Slams Delayed Aid Response as “Too Little, Too Late”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the scenes from Gaza as “utterly horrifying,” especially images showing malnourished children.
While he acknowledged that Israel’s agreement to allow airdrops was a start, he emphasized it should have happened far earlier.
Starmer is also pressing for urgent medical evacuations of children in need of critical treatment to be brought to the UK.
Famine Fears Become Reality Amid Restricted Access
For months, aid organizations have been warning about the risk of famine in Gaza, where Israel’s blockade has severely limited the delivery of food, medicine, and fuel.
Israel has justified these restrictions by claiming Hamas diverts aid for its own purposes—an accusation the United Nations strongly denies.
Even after slightly easing the blockade in May, Israel has allowed in just a fraction of the aid needed.
An average of 69 aid trucks enter daily, far below the UN’s recommended 500–600 trucks.
On top of that, chaotic scenes often unfold as desperate crowds swarm aid convoys, making distribution nearly impossible.
Alternative Aid Channels Prove Controversial
In response to ongoing criticism of the UN’s role, Israel has thrown its support behind a US-based group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which now operates four distribution centers.
But this has created new concerns.
According to the UN human rights office, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed—mostly near these new food sites—since May while trying to access aid.
Israel accuses the UN of facilitating Hamas’ theft of supplies, though no evidence has been provided.
The UN maintains its delivery system is the most efficient way to get help to civilians and insists that Israel’s claims are unfounded.
Ceasefire Talks Collapse While Conflict Intensifies Elsewhere
Despite this humanitarian pause, Israel’s broader offensive against Hamas continues.
The temporary local pause comes just days after ceasefire negotiations with Hamas hit another dead end.
Both Israel and the US pulled their representatives from the talks, blaming Hamas for the breakdown.
Israel has since hinted at exploring “alternative options” for ending the conflict.
Back in March, Israel fully cut off essential supplies to Gaza in an attempt to force Hamas to release remaining hostages.
The blockade lasted two and a half months.
Though eased in May, aid has been trickling in at insufficient levels ever since.
Human Toll Continues to Soar
Since Hamas’s deadly assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023—which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage—Israel’s military response has been relentless.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 59,700 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict, with more than half of them reportedly women and children.
Israel does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties in its count.
Hamas is believed to still hold around 50 hostages, with many presumed dead.
UK Political Divide Over Support for Israel
As calls to end the war grow louder, divisions in the UK government are emerging.
While Prime Minister Starmer is set to urge Donald Trump in an upcoming meeting to support ceasefire efforts, concerns remain about Trump’s stance.
The former US president has publicly argued that Hamas is not interested in peace, raising the risk of a political clash between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has reaffirmed her unwavering support for Israel despite the worsening humanitarian crisis.
Speaking on Sky News, she emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself and called the war an unfortunate but complex situation, made even more difficult by regional threats from groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran.
The Bigger Picture: Decades of Occupation
This brutal chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict adds to the ongoing and controversial reality of Israel’s long-term occupation of Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights—widely considered the longest military occupation in modern history.
With pressure mounting from allies and humanitarian organizations, the question now is not just how to stop the immediate suffering, but how to create a sustainable path forward.
What Happens Next?
The future remains uncertain.
Humanitarian organizations are scrambling to make the most of the limited pause, while international leaders try to rekindle meaningful ceasefire negotiations.
For the civilians caught in the crossfire—especially children—the need for food, safety, and stability is more urgent than ever.
Whether the world will act fast enough is a question still hanging in the balance.