JERUSALEM – The Israeli army announced on June 16 that it would implement a daily “tactical pause of military activity” in part of the southern Gaza Strip during daylight hours to facilitate the delivery of aid.
According to an army statement, “a local, tactical pause of military activity for humanitarian purposes will take place from 08:00 until 19:00 every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and then northwards.”
This decision is part of efforts to “increase the volumes of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip” following discussions with the UN and other organizations, the statement added. Israel has defended its efforts to facilitate aid deliveries, including through the Kerem Shalom crossing. However, humanitarian groups have warned for months about a severe lack of food and other essentials in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The World Health Organization has reported that more than 8,000 children under five have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza. International mediators have been pressing Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal proposed by US President Joe Biden, aimed at allowing hostage-prisoner exchanges and increased aid deliveries. However, progress has stalled in recent days.
World Food Programme deputy executive director Carl Skau recently stated that “with lawlessness inside the Strip… and active conflict,” it has become “close to impossible to deliver the level of aid that meets the growing demands on the ground.”