As we’ve been reporting, Israel has announced a 10-hour “tactical pause” in military activity to take place from today in three areas of Gaza.
But what are “tactical pauses” – and how much relief will they bring to Palestinians facing a growing starvation crisis inside the Palestinian enclave?
What happens now: Israel says the tactical pause is taking place for “humanitarian purposes” and is restricted to certain areas of the besieged territory.
The pause in fighting, which covers the areas of Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and part of Gaza City, began at 10 a.m. (3 a.m. ET) Sunday and will last until 8 p.m. Further pauses will continue every day “until further notice,” the Israeli military said.
Designated “secure routes” for aid delivery will also be established from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has previously announced the use of “tactical pauses” in Gaza, for example, in June 2024 when a road in southern Gaza was designated for humanitarian aid deliveries every day for 11 hours amid worsening health conditions.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari clarified at the time that a “pause” does not mean fighting stops in Gaza. Rather, he said, “we created this safe pass, in those hours, to make sure the distribution (of aid) is ongoing.”
It remains unclear how effective the pauses will be, as the IDF has previously designated other routes as safe paths for aid in Gaza, only for aid convoys to be struck.
