Gaza city: A so-called 'tactical and localized suspension of military operations' announced by Israel became effective on Sunday morning in select areas of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said. The suspension began at 10 am local time (0700GMT) in three key areas of Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, covering parts of the central, southern, and northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army spokesman said.
According to Anadolu Agency, the announcement came shortly after Israel's Channel 12 reported that top Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, had agreed to a limited humanitarian pause. The exact duration of the suspension remains unspecified. Al-Mawasi, a stretch of sandy coastal territory, has become a refuge for many displaced Palestinians.
Since May 27, Israel has launched a separate aid distribution initiative through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), bypassing the UN and international humanitarian agencies. This initiative has been widely rejected by the global relief community. The GHF is supported by the United States. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have reportedly opened fire on Palestinians near distribution centers, resulting in hundreds of casualties.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with a hunger crisis escalating into a humanitarian catastrophe. Footage from the region depicts severely emaciated residents suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 59,700 Palestinian deaths, most of whom are women and children. The bombardment has devastated the enclave and exacerbated food shortages.
In addition to the ongoing conflict, legal actions have been initiated against Israeli leaders. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the enclave.