Israel has announced a “tactical pause” in military operations in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter amid growing concerns over mass starvation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday. The pause is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time and is part of efforts led by COGAT, the coordinator of government activities in the territories, to increase the flow of aid into the area.
Warnings from food experts in recent months have highlighted the risk of famine in Gaza due to severely limited aid access. The humanitarian situation has been described by Australia’s government as worse than the world’s worst fears, with reports of widespread starvation and disease throughout the territory. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed the importance of valuing every innocent life lost in the conflict, whether Israeli or Palestinian. Meanwhile, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Trump’s handling of the situation, calling for an immediate ceasefire, increased aid, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Jeffries condemned the ongoing starvation and deaths of Palestinian civilians as unacceptable.