Israel’s ‘Tactical Pauses’ in Gaza: Insufficient to Address Starvation Crisis
Introduction
On July 27, 2025, the Israeli military announced daily “tactical pauses” in fighting across three areas of Gaza—Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City—from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, aimed at facilitating humanitarian aid deliveries. This move, coordinated with the United Nations and international organizations, includes resuming airdrops of aid and establishing “secure routes” for UN convoys to deliver food and medicine. However, humanitarian experts and aid organizations have expressed skepticism, warning that these measures are inadequate to address the deepening starvation crisis gripping Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
Background of the Crisis
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated severely over the 21 months since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in southern Israel. Israel’s subsequent military campaign and blockade have resulted in over 59,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than half being women and children, and have devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving the population heavily reliant on humanitarian aid.
Since March 2025, Israel imposed an 11-week blockade on all aid, exacerbating food insecurity. By late May, limited aid resumed through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a U.S.- and Israel-backed entity replacing UN-led distribution. However, the GHF has been criticized for its inefficiency and for operating “death trap” aid sites where over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while seeking food.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reports that 470,000 people—22% of Gaza’s population—face starvation, with the entire population experiencing acute food insecurity. At least 127 people, including 85 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began, with recent reports indicating a sharp rise in starvation deaths.
Details of the ‘Tactical Pauses’
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the pauses, effective from July 27, 2025, aim to “increase the scale of humanitarian aid” and refute claims of deliberate starvation. The IDF has also resumed airdrops, with seven pallets of flour, sugar, and canned food delivered on July 26, coordinated with international organizations through COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid entry. Designated humanitarian corridors will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily to enable safe passage for UN convoys.
Despite these measures, the IDF emphasized that combat operations against Hamas and other militant groups will continue in other parts of Gaza, with most of the territory still designated as a “dangerous combat zone.” Recent strikes and clashes in the pause-designated areas raise concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.
Expert and International Reactions
Humanitarian organizations and experts have dismissed the tactical pauses and airdrops as insufficient. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), called airdrops “expensive, inefficient, and a distraction,” noting that they risk civilian lives and cannot reverse the deepening starvation. UNRWA has 6,000 trucks’ worth of aid stockpiled in Egypt and Jordan, but Israel’s restrictions prevent its entry.
Over 100 aid agencies, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and Amnesty International, issued a joint statement on July 23, accusing Israel of blocking aid distribution and exacerbating the crisis. The World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the situation as “man-made mass starvation” caused by Israel’s blockade.
The UN human rights office reported that 1,054 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while seeking aid since May, with 766 deaths near GHF sites. The UN and aid groups have called for unrestricted land-based aid access, arguing that only a significant increase in truck deliveries—previously 500 per day before the war, now averaging 28—can avert famine.
International pressure has intensified, with 28 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, condemning Israel’s “drip feeding of aid” on July 21. Some allies, like France, have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, signaling a shift in stance. However, Israel and the U.S. have rejected these criticisms, blaming Hamas for prolonging the conflict and alleging it interferes with aid distribution.
On-the-Ground Realities
The starvation crisis has led to harrowing scenes. Parents report children crying themselves to sleep from hunger, and hospitals are overwhelmed with malnourished patients. A 5-month-old baby, Zainab Abu Halib, died weighing less than 2kg, and a 1.5-year-old, Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, faces life-threatening malnutrition. Aid workers and journalists in Gaza are themselves struggling with hunger, with reports of dizziness and fainting.
The GHF’s aid sites have been described as chaotic and dangerous, with Israeli forces firing on crowds, leading to significant casualties. The UN and aid groups argue that the GHF’s model violates humanitarian principles and fails to ensure safe access. Meanwhile, Gaza’s infrastructure—70% of water systems and 60% of housing—has been destroyed, compounding the crisis with dehydration and disease outbreaks like hepatitis and diarrhea.
Broader Implications
Critics, including Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, a potential war crime. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have stated that limited aid is allowed to prevent epidemics that could halt military operations, but humanitarian groups argue this reflects a policy of collective punishment.
Ceasefire talks, mediated in Qatar, have stalled, with Israel and the U.S. recalling negotiators on July 24, blaming Hamas for the breakdown. Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel vows to continue fighting until Hamas is defeated. The lack of a lasting truce further dims hopes for a significant increase in aid.
Conclusion
While Israel’s tactical pauses and airdrops signal an attempt to respond to international pressure, they fall far short of addressing Gaza’s starvation crisis. Humanitarian organizations emphasize that only a massive influx of land-based aid, unrestricted access for UN agencies, and a lasting ceasefire can prevent further deaths. As the crisis worsens, with children and adults dying daily from hunger and related illnesses, the international community continues to urge Israel to lift its blockade and prioritize civilian lives.
How to Help
- Donate: Support organizations like the International Red Cross, UNRWA, or the International Rescue Committee, which are providing critical aid in Gaza.
- Raise Awareness: Share verified information from reputable sources to highlight the crisis.
- Advocate: Call on governments to press for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.
