Gaza - The Israeli military has announced a daily "tactical pause of military activity" along a specific road in southern Gaza to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid. These pauses, which began on Saturday, will occur from 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) to 19:00 local time each day until further notice.

The tactical pauses apply to a route leading northwards from the Kerem Shalom crossing, which Gaza shares with Israel, up to the European Hospital near Khan Younis. Despite these pauses, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have clarified there is no ceasefire in southern Gaza, and combat operations will continue in Rafah. This announcement follows discussions with the UN and international organizations, amid ongoing international pressure on Israel from allies, including the US, to mitigate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the Israeli military entered Rafah over a month ago, seizing control of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, hundreds of thousands have fled the area. This crossing, once the primary entry point for aid, has been closed, and Israel claims its operations in Rafah are necessary to eliminate Hamas from what it calls the group's "last major stronghold."

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with international agencies warning of catastrophic conditions. The World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that a significant portion of Gaza's population is facing "catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions." Aid delivery remains significantly below required levels, with the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noting a steep decline in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza compared to pre-war levels.

The IDF reported that eight Israeli soldiers were killed in an explosion in Rafah on Saturday, marking the deadliest incident for the army since January. The incident occurred during operations in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, a key target for Israeli forces. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it involved an ambush with a rocket.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed the continuation of the war against Hamas, emphasizing the goals of eliminating Hamas' capabilities, securing the return of hostages, and ensuring Gaza poses no threat to Israel.

Efforts to distribute aid within Gaza have faced significant challenges. UNICEF reported that a convoy carrying aid was denied entry to northern Gaza, despite having the necessary documentation. The IDF attributed the issue to improper paperwork.

Since the war's onset on October 7, triggered by a Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage, over 37,000 Palestinians have been reported killed, with many more injured or displaced. Negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas continue, with the US announcing that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will visit Washington for further talks.

Despite international calls for a ceasefire, an agreement remains elusive, and hostilities persist. In recent Israeli airstrikes, at least 19 Palestinians were killed, and the military reported capturing large quantities of weapons in Rafah, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict.