Finally, responding to intense global pressure, Israel’s military will open special paths called humanitarian corridors. Consequently, desperately needed aid trucks can now reach families inside Gaza.
For weeks, international leaders urgently warned about starvation. They demanded action because food and supplies couldn’t get through reliably. Therefore, this decision offers critical hope.
Simultaneously, the Israeli army (IDF) announced a temporary halt. Specifically, they paused fighting locally in three key areas purely for humanitarian reasons. This pause aims to help aid move safely.
This announcement followed another vital effort. Recently, Israeli planes successfully dropped aid packages directly into Gaza. They delivered seven bundles containing basic foods like flour, sugar, and canned goods.
However, these deliveries alone cannot solve the massive crisis. For months, Gaza’s two million people struggled with severe shortages. Basic supplies barely reached them, creating immense hardship.
Naturally, the world cried out louder and louder. People everywhere urged Israel to allow far more aid into Gaza. They feared families were facing starvation due to the blockade.
Israel’s government strongly denied causing hunger deliberately. Officials specifically called these accusations “false claims.” They stated clearly that starvation was never their policy.
Still, the rising global concern clearly made a difference. Now, with corridors opening and fighting pausing locally, more help might finally reach those who need it most. Ultimately, getting enough food and medicine to Gaza’s families is the immediate, vital goal.
Palestinian officials still haven’t spoken up. They remain silent about plans for safe aid paths into Gaza. They also haven’t commented on reported aid drops from planes.
Meanwhile, health authorities in Gaza, run by Hamas, shared heartbreaking news Sunday. Six more people, including children, died because they simply didn’t have enough food.
This brings the total deaths from hunger since the fighting began to 133 precious lives lost. Tragically, most of these deaths happened just in the last few weeks. Facing immense pressure, the Israeli military (IDF) announced a potential lifeline.
They will open special safe routes, called humanitarian corridors, for aid trucks. These corridors aim to let the UN and other aid groups finally bring food and medicine. They need to reach desperate families across the entire Gaza Strip.
The IDF stated these safe paths will be open daily. Specifically, they will operate from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM local time. Furthermore, the IDF declared daily pauses in the fighting.
These crucial pauses will happen in three areas: Al Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Each day, the pauses will run from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM local time. Importantly, this will continue until the IDF says otherwise.
However, the UN and major aid groups directly blame Israel. They say Israel caused Gaza’s terrifying food shortage. Some of Israel’s own allies also point the finger at Israel.
Together, they plead for Israel to let all needed aid flow freely and safely. UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher cautiously welcomed the news of the fighting pause. He stressed that UN teams on the ground will move fast.
Their urgent goal: reach as many starving people as possible in this brief window. Fletcher emphasized, “We will do all we can.” Heartbreakingly, Sunday also brought news of violence near aid.
Medical workers reported Israeli forces shot at civilians gathered for help in central Gaza.
This terrible incident killed at least nine Palestinians. It also left fifty-four more people wounded.
The IDF has not yet explained what happened there. A spokesman for al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat confirmed the grim reality. He told reporters they received the victims.
Separate photos Sunday showed long lines of aid trucks. These vital supply lorries waited patiently at Gaza’s Rafah border with Egypt.
They sat there, hoping desperately to get permission to enter Gaza. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, spoke forcefully. He condemned the situation as entirely preventable.
Tedros called it nothing less than “man-made mass starvation”. In response, the IDF shifted responsibility. They stated clearly that the UN and aid groups must handle food distribution.
The IDF insisted these groups must also keep aid away from Hamas fighters. Earlier on Sunday, the IDF mentioned an aid airdrop. They said they coordinated this air delivery with international groups.
An Israeli military unit called Cogat, which manages Gaza aid, led the effort. The IDF also posted a video showing a plane dropping packages. However, no one else has confirmed this footage is real yet.
Families across Gaza face agonizing hunger every single day. Parents watch helplessly as their children waste away. Aid workers risk their lives trying to deliver sacks of flour and boxes of medicine.
Empty plates and aching bellies tell the true story of this crisis. Safe passage for food isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between life and death. The world watches, hoping these corridors finally bring real relief to starving families.
Late Saturday, the Israeli military announced a key action. Specifically, they restored power to a Gaza desalination plant.
Consequently, this plant will now serve about 900,000 residents. Previously, Israel cut all supplies to Gaza starting in March. Then, in May, Israel resumed supplies with new restrictions.
Furthermore, Israel and the US backed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Therefore, they allowed GHF operations inside Gaza. However, almost daily reports surface now.
Tragically, Palestinians seeking aid face death since GHF started late May. Witnesses consistently tell the BBC Israeli forces shot most victims.
Conversely, Israel states its troops fire only warning shots. Additionally, Israel disputes the reported death tolls. Moreover, Israel accuses Hamas of creating chaos near aid points.
Israel’s concessions followed their acceptance of a specific plan. Jordan and the UAE proposed this plan, with UK backing.
The plan involves air dropping aid into Gaza. However, aid agencies strongly disagree with this method. They argue air drops will do little to ease Gazan hunger.
Philippe Lazzarini heads the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa. He called air drops expensive and inefficient. Furthermore, Lazzarini warned malfunctioning drops could kill starving civilians.
Critically, Lazzarini stated his agency holds massive resources nearby. Specifically, Unrwa has supplies equal to 6,000 trucks in Jordan and Egypt. These trucks urgently wait to enter Gaza.
Therefore, Lazzarini implored Israel to lift the siege immediately. He also demanded Israel open the gates. Plus, Lazzarini insisted Israel guarantee safe, dignified aid access.
On Saturday, the BBC spoke with several worried Gazans. Many fear air drops might cause serious harm.For instance, one northern Gaza resident spoke to BBC Arabic.
He called the process unsafe. He also recalled numerous tragedies from similar efforts last year. Clearly, he explained the direct danger.
Air-dropped aid risks landing directly on tents. This could cause injury or even death. Meanwhile, Palestinians battle severe dehydration alongside starvation.
One desperate mother told the BBC her reality. She simply stated, “living with no food or drink, no food, no bread, not even water.”
This crisis stems from the ongoing war. Israel launched this war after Hamas attacked southern Israel. That attack happened on October 7, 2023.
Shockingly, Hamas killed about 1,200 people that day. They also took 251 others hostage. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry reports grim numbers. Over 59,000 people have died in Gaza.
