Israel Declares Gaza Fighting Pause Amid Deepening Hunger Crisis

 Israel announced a 72-hour pause in military operations in Gaza on July 27, 2025, starting at 6:00 AM local time, amid a worsening hunger crisis, as confirmed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). 

The truce, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, aims to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, with the United Nations reporting 1.1 million Gazans, half the population, facing acute food insecurity, up from 900,000 in June. The World Food Programme (WFP) documented 30 starvation-related deaths in July, attributing the crisis to disrupted supply lines since the October 2023 conflict escalation.

The pause allows 200 aid trucks daily, though Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire, rejecting the temporary measure as insufficient. Israel cites security needs, with 15 IDF casualties reported this month. 

Critics, including Amnesty International, argue the pause masks ongoing restrictions, while Israeli officials claim it balances humanitarian and military priorities. The narrative of relief is fragile, with the crisis’s depth, exacerbated by destroyed infrastructure, hinging on sustained access and political will.