A limited and localized suspension of military operations announced by Israel took effect on Sunday morning in select areas of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military confirmed. The so-called "tactical and localized suspension" began at 10 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) in three areas: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and parts of Gaza City—spanning portions of southern, central, and northern Gaza, according to an army spokesman cited by Yedioth Ahronoth. Al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal zone in southern Gaza, has become a refuge for thousands of displaced Palestinians, extending from southwest Deir al-Balah through Khan Younis to Rafah. The pause follows a late-night decision by top Israeli officials—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar—to approve a limited humanitarian suspension. No timeline has been given for when the suspension will end. Since May 27, Israel has launched a separate aid distribution initiative through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), bypassing the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies. The U.S.-backed initiative has been widely rejected by global relief organizations. Despite the announcement of safe zones and pauses, Israeli forces have reportedly continued firing on Palestinians attempting to collect aid near distribution points, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The hunger crisis in Gaza has escalated into a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe. Shocking footage from the enclave shows skeletal residents collapsing from dehydration and prolonged starvation, as food and medical supplies remain severely restricted. Israel's military campaign —launched on Oct. 7, 2023— has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, the vast majority of them women and children, according to local health authorities. Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, with ongoing bombardment and a blockade exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel is also being tried at the International Court of Justice for genocide in its war on Gaza. — Agencies
