Israeli army announces daily 'tactical pause' in southern Gaza to increase aid received

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it would implement a daily “tactical pause in military activity” in part of the southern Gaza Strip during the day to facilitate the delivery of aid.

The army said in a statement that “a local tactical pause in military activity for humanitarian purposes will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until further notice along the road leading from the Kerem Shalom crossing at the Salah al-Din Road crossing point then towards the north.

The decision was taken as part of efforts to “increase the volumes of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip” following discussions with the UN and other organizations, he said.

Israel has long defended its efforts to facilitate the delivery of aid, notably through the Kerem Shalom crossing, but humanitarian groups have warned for months of a dire lack of food and other essential goods in the Palestinian territory besieged.

The World Health Organization said more than 8,000 children under the age of five were treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza.

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(AFP)