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Trump says there is 'real starvation' in Gaza and U.S. will set up food centers

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  The new trickle of aid that Israel has allowed into Gaza since the weekend isn't enough to stave off famine, aid groups have warned.


Israel Announces Daily Military Pauses in Gaza to Boost Aid Delivery Amid Starvation Crisis


In a significant development amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli military has declared it will implement daily pauses in fighting along a key route in southern Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. This move comes as international concerns mount over the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, where reports of widespread starvation and malnutrition have escalated into warnings of an impending famine. The announcement, made by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), aims to address the bottlenecks in aid distribution that have plagued efforts to alleviate the suffering of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been displaced multiple times since the conflict erupted in October.

The pauses are scheduled to occur from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time each day, focusing on a stretch of road from the Kerem Shalom crossing—a primary entry point for goods into Gaza—to the Salah al-Din Road, which runs northward toward central areas like Khan Younis. According to IDF statements, this tactical measure will allow aid convoys to move more freely without the immediate threat of active combat, enabling trucks to transport essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel deeper into the territory. The military emphasized that these pauses are not a full ceasefire but rather localized halts in operations, designed to coordinate with humanitarian organizations like the United Nations and the Red Cross to maximize the flow of assistance.

This decision follows intense international pressure, particularly from the United States, Israel's closest ally, which has repeatedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to do more to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. President Joe Biden has highlighted the issue in recent speeches, stressing that the blockade-like restrictions on Gaza's borders have contributed to unnecessary suffering. The U.S. has even constructed a temporary floating pier off Gaza's coast to bypass land-based obstacles, though that initiative has faced setbacks due to rough seas and security concerns, limiting its effectiveness. Aid groups report that only a fraction of the needed supplies—estimated at around 500 trucks per day pre-war—have been entering Gaza, with bureaucratic hurdles, ongoing fighting, and attacks on convoys exacerbating the crisis.

The backdrop to this announcement is a grim humanitarian landscape in Gaza, where the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and devastated infrastructure. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring body, has warned that over half a million Palestinians in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, with famine already taking hold in northern areas. Children, in particular, are bearing the brunt, with cases of severe acute malnutrition skyrocketing. Eyewitness accounts from displaced families describe desperate scenes: parents scavenging for scraps in rubble-strewn streets, children with bloated bellies from kwashiorkor, and long lines at makeshift soup kitchens that often run dry. One resident in Rafah, speaking anonymously to aid workers, recounted how her family has survived on a single meal of canned beans per day for weeks, with no access to fresh produce or clean water.

Israeli officials have defended their military campaign, insisting it is necessary to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure following the group's October 7 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of over 250 hostages. Netanyahu has publicly stated that while Israel is committed to minimizing civilian harm, the pauses are tactical adjustments rather than a shift in strategy. In fact, reports emerged that Netanyahu initially criticized the IDF's announcement, calling it "unacceptable" before clarifying that it aligned with broader war goals. This internal friction underscores the political tightrope Israel is walking: balancing domestic demands for a decisive victory against international calls for restraint and aid access.

Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the pauses but expressed skepticism about their implementation and impact. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which has been a lifeline for Gaza's population, noted that previous "humanitarian corridors" have been disrupted by sporadic fighting or miscommunications. "Pauses are a step in the right direction, but they must be safe, sustained, and expanded," said a UN spokesperson. Aid workers on the ground report that even during lulls, convoys face risks from unexploded ordnance, looting by desperate crowds, and occasional clashes with militants. Moreover, the pauses are limited to one route, leaving vast swaths of Gaza, including the heavily bombarded north, underserved.

The crisis in Gaza is not isolated; it reflects broader regional tensions. Egypt, which controls the Rafah crossing, has been reluctant to fully open its borders amid security fears, while Jordan and other Arab states have airdropped supplies in coordination with Israel. However, these efforts pale in comparison to the scale of need. The World Food Programme estimates that without unrestricted access, Gaza could see widespread famine by summer, potentially leading to thousands more deaths from starvation-related causes. This has prompted legal actions, including South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide—a charge Israel vehemently denies, arguing its actions are defensive and compliant with international law.

Critics argue that the pauses, while helpful, do not address root causes like the destruction of agricultural land, bakeries, and water facilities during the conflict. Satellite imagery shows vast tracts of farmland in Gaza turned into wastelands by bombardments, severely hampering local food production. Fishermen, once a key source of protein, are restricted from accessing the sea due to naval blockades. In response, some innovative community efforts have emerged, such as rooftop gardens in refugee camps or bartering systems for scarce goods, but these are insufficient against the tide of displacement and destruction.

Looking ahead, the effectiveness of these daily pauses will be closely monitored by the international community. If successful, they could pave the way for more comprehensive ceasefires or negotiated truces, potentially involving hostage releases and steps toward reconstruction. However, with Hamas vowing to continue its resistance and Israel committed to eradicating the group's military capabilities, the path to lasting peace remains fraught. Aid experts stress that true relief requires not just pauses but an end to hostilities, full border openings, and massive investment in rebuilding Gaza's shattered economy and society.

In the meantime, the human cost continues to mount. Stories from Gaza paint a picture of resilience amid despair: a doctor in a makeshift clinic treating malnourished infants with limited supplies, volunteers distributing bread baked from dwindling flour stocks, and families huddled in tents dreaming of normalcy. As one aid worker put it, "These pauses are a glimmer of hope, but without broader action, they risk being just a temporary bandage on a gaping wound." The world watches as Israel navigates this delicate balance between security imperatives and humanitarian obligations, with the lives of millions hanging in the balance.

This announcement also highlights the evolving dynamics of the conflict. Initially focused on rapid military advances, Israel's strategy has shifted under global scrutiny, incorporating more humanitarian considerations. Yet, challenges persist: coordination between the IDF and aid groups must be seamless to avoid incidents, and transparency in reporting aid flows is crucial to build trust. International donors, including the European Union and Gulf states, have pledged billions for Gaza's recovery, but delivery remains hampered.

Furthermore, the pauses could influence diplomatic efforts. Ceasefire talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt have stalled, but this gesture might reinvigorate negotiations. Hamas has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to the blockade in exchange for hostages, while Israel seeks the complete demilitarization of Gaza. The U.S. has proposed frameworks that include these pauses as building blocks toward de-escalation.

On the ground, the impact is immediate for some. Truck drivers at Kerem Shalom report smoother passages during test runs, allowing more pallets of rice, lentils, and canned goods to reach distribution centers. However, northern Gaza remains a flashpoint, with residents there facing the most acute shortages. Aid agencies are pushing for expanded pauses to include routes to Gaza City and beyond.

In summary, while the daily military pauses represent a pragmatic response to the starvation crisis, they underscore the complexities of waging war in a densely populated area. As the conflict enters its ninth month, the international community continues to call for accountability, urging all parties to prioritize civilian lives and work toward a sustainable resolution. The fate of Gaza's people depends not just on these tactical measures, but on the political will to end the cycle of violence and deprivation. (Word count: 1,248)

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