Israel Announces Humanitarian Pauses and Safe Aid Corridors to Support UN Aid Delivery in Gaza

Latest Developments

Tactical Pauses, Secure Aid Routes, More Water: The IDF announced on July 27 that it would begin implementing daily pauses of military activity in three Gaza population centers to assist the United Nations and international aid agencies “improve the effectiveness of aid distribution.” A “local tactical pause” will be repeated daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. “until further notice” in al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. Additionally, the IDF has designated permanent secure routes for humanitarian aid convoys, which will operate between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. and reconnect a power line to Gaza’s southern water desalination plant, boosting water output from 2,000 to 20,000 cubic meters per day.
Israel Rejects Accusations of Starvation: The UN’s World Food Program welcomed Israel’s announcement and said it had “enough food in — or on its way to” feed the entire population of 2.1 million for almost three months. The IDF emphasized: “[T]here is no starvation in Gaza; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas. Responsibility for food distribution lies with the UN & international aid organizations. Therefore, the UN and international organizations are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid distribution and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas.” The Israeli Foreign Ministry said, “Israel rejects the false accusations of ‘starvation’ propaganda initiated by Hamas, which manipulates pictures of children suffering from terminal diseases. It is shameful.” The United Nations has warned of widespread hunger in the coastal enclave.
Airdrops of Aid Resume: Jordan and the United Arab Emirates airdropped 28 packages of aid into the Gaza Strip on July 27 in a resumption of aerial deliveries for the first time since 2024. The IDF also participated in the aerial deliveries for the first time since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, dropping seven pallets of flour, sugar, and canned goods. “We care about the nutrition of the residents of Gaza more than Hamas does,” IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin asserted, adding that Hamas is stealing aid from Gazan civilians, hiding it in tunnels, and is working “intentionally to worsen the condition of the population” and sabotage the work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

FDD Expert Response

“Israel’s decision to implement a limited, tactical pause in its fight to return all the hostages seized by Hamas and defeat the terrorist group illustrates the current inseparability of its military operations and humanitarian efforts. Supporting the creation of an aid distribution system that Hamas can neither disrupt nor co-opt is integral to achieving both Israel’s military and political objectives in Gaza.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“As far as Hamas is concerned, the welfare of Gaza’s civilians is the responsibility of the United Nations, the international community, and even Israel. The terror organization takes no responsibility for launching and prolonging this war that has devastated Gaza. Hamas could end the war immediately by freeing the hostages from their captivity, now for nearly 660 days.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“While aid groups such as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are delivering more than a million meals a day, additional methods of delivery are still needed. Israel is hoping that further support to international aid efforts will ensure that more aid bypasses Hamas to actually reach the beleaguered Gazan population. Ultimately, should a surplus of aid flood Gaza, not only will a humanitarian crisis be averted but Hamas will no longer be able to profit from controlling it.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow