Israel Announces “Tactical Pause” against Gaza

The Israeli militia recently announced on Sunday that it is going to enforce a limited daily “tactical pause” during the day along one of the main roadways in the southern Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid supplies from a US-built pier by UN agencies. The halt, according to the Israel Defense Forces, should not be interpreted as a “cessation of hostilities in the southern Gaza Strip.” 

The statement came as the IDF revealed the deaths of three additional soldiers on Saturday, raising the total to 11, including eight killed in an attack on an armoured personnel vehicle in the southern city of Rafah. According to the Israeli military, the decision for the “tactical pause” occurred following discussions with the United Nations and foreign relief agencies. The area covers nearly 12 km of the road near the Rafah and the purpose of the halt was to enable trucks to pass the Karem Salom crossing, which has been under the control of the Israeli militia.

According to the IDF, the halt would start at 8 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. along the main Salah al-Din road that runs north-south until there is any further notice to terminate the decision of this “tactical pause.” The Karem Salom crossing is the entry point for incoming assistance and safe travel on the main Salah A-din Highway route. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially confirmed the duration of the “tactical pause” from 8 am to 7 pm, as communicated on X (formerly Twitter).

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, denounced the decision right away and said that the person who decided to implement this pause, particularly to provide humanitarian supplies while their warriors are dying in combat, shouldn’t be allowed to hold office.

The Decision of “Tactical Pause” by Israel before Eid

The strategic ceasefire was announced after talks with Egypt and pressure from the United States to extend humanitarian aid to Gaza. The announcement came when Muslims throughout the world were preparing themselves to begin their religious celebration of Eid Al-Adha, and it coincides with increased attention being paid to the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza following nearly eight months of strife. The strife between Israel and Hamas began after Hamas attacked on October 7.

The UN has reported widespread hunger and hundreds of thousands of people on the verge of famine in Gaza as a result of Israel’s eight-month military campaign against Hamas. Israel has also cut off water supplies and hindered the delivery of relief. So, the international community exerted pressure on Israel to increase its acceptance of humanitarian aid.

According to data from the UN humanitarian agency, or OCHA, the UN received an average of 68 aid trucks every day between May 6 and June 6. That was far less than the 500 trucks per day that relief organizations say are necessary, and it was down from 168 trucks per day in April. So, when the need for humanitarian aid increased, the amount flowing into southern Gaza decreased. 

According to COGAT, the Israeli military organization in charge of distributing supplies in Gaza, there are no limitations on truck access. According to their report, more than 8,600 trucks of all types, both aid and commercial, entered Gaza from all borders between May 2 and June 13, with an average of 201 per day. Yet, a large portion of that help has accumulated at the border crossings rather than getting to its intended location. 

At present, it is uncertain whether COGAT will ensure the security of the aid-carrying trucks, but they have affirmed that the route will deliver crucial aid to multiple areas of Gaza, including Khan Younis, Muwasi, and Central Gaza.