In order to make room for a backlog of humanitarian relief supplies for Palestinians living in the unrest-plagued area, the Israeli military declared on Sunday that it would suspend combat during the day along a corridor in southern Gaza.
“To increase the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and following additional related discussions with the U.N. and international organizations, a local, tactical pause of military activity for humanitarian purposes will take place from 08:00 until 19:00 every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and then further north,” said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement on June 16.
The IDF added that the tactical pause is another step in aid efforts carried out by the Israeli military, adding that it will “continue to support humanitarian efforts on the ground.”
The United States, the United Nations, and several other nations have called for a comprehensive cease-fire in the region, but this is not what the halt, which only covers around 7.4 miles of road in the Rafah area, represents.
The purpose of the halt is to enable relief vehicles to arrive at the primary assistance entrance point, the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is under Israel's control, and proceed securely to the Salah a-Din highway, which is a major north-south route, according to the IDF. Since the entrance of Israeli ground forces into Rafah in early May, there has been a backlog at the border.
A United Nations. While expressing gratitude for Israel's declaration, humanitarian spokeswoman Jens Laerke stated that "no aid has been dispatched from Kerem Shalom today," without providing any specifics. According to Mr. Laerke, the UN anticipates more significant actions from Israel, such as improved border procedures and the regular supply of essential fuel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, among other Israeli leaders, expressed disapproval of the IDF's declaration. He told local media that he was unaware of the "tactical pause" and that he had informed military authorities that "this was unacceptable to him."
“After an inquiry, the Prime Minister was informed that there was no change in [Israeli military] policy and that the fighting in Rafah continued as planned,” the statement said.
Bezalel Smotrich, the minister of finance, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister of national security, were among the other Netanyahu administration members who expressed similar disapproval of the decision-making procedure.
“The management of humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip … has been lackluster for the past few months,” Mr. Smotrich wrote on social media Sunday, according to a translation from Hebrew into English. “The IDF Spokesperson’s detached statement did not reflect any change happening on the ground.”
The IDF’s general staff, he claimed, is “completely detached from the feeling among the troops on the ground” and is attempting to “create international legitimacy instead of leaving that to the political echelon [and] centering its attention on winning the war.”
The declaration was made one week after military general Benny Gantz resigned from the Netanyahu administration, charging the prime minister with lacking a strategy in Gaza months after the conflict broke out as a result of an attack carried out by the terrorist organization Hamas. It happens weeks after the International Criminal Court declared it would look into obtaining an arrest warrant for Mr. Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, the Defense Minister, and three Hamas commanders.
About a week ago, U.S. According to a State Department summary, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Mr. Netanyahu to discuss potential cease-fire and increased supplies to Gaza.
“The Secretary reiterated that the United States and other world leaders will stand behind the comprehensive proposal outlined by President [Joe] Biden that would lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian assistance for distribution throughout Gaza,” the readout states.
The United States has a "ironclad commitment" to Israel's military operations and security, Mr. Blinken had assured Mr. Netanyahu. However, he also stated that measures should be taken to "unlock the possibility of calm along Israel's northern border."
Additionally, he informed the Israeli prime minister that steps needed to be taken to stop the Israel-Hamas conflict from getting worse.
