Israel-Gaza Operations: 10-Hour Daily Pause for Humanitarian Aid Airdrops 

In order to facilitate the airdrop and delivery of humanitarian aid, Israel has instituted a 10-hour daily pause in military operations in three areas of Gaza: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City. The pause will take effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, beginning July 27, 2025.
The program is a response to international condemnation of Gaza’s deteriorating humanitarian situation, which includes reports of widespread starvation and deaths from malnutrition. On July 27, 2025, Egypt sent more than 100 trucks carrying 1,200 tons of supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing, while Jordan and the United Arab Emirates carried out airdrops of 25 tons of aid.

Aid organizations and the UN emphasize that despite the steps, airdrops are ineffective and that a ceasefire with unobstructed land routes is essential to addressing the famine in Gaza. There have been reports of civilian casualties during aid distribution, prompting Hamas and locals to criticize the pauses as inadequate.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared on July 27, 2025, that military operations in three heavily populated areas of Gaza, Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, would be suspended for ten hours every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. UK time). In response to growing international pressure over Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis, this measure, which is in effect until further notice, intends to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid through airdrops and secure land corridors. Based on credible sources, the following provides a thorough summary of the situation, its ramifications, and the larger context.

Background and Context 

The announcement comes after the world expressed outrage over the rising number of deaths from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza, where 2.2 million people live in extreme food insecurity. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), one in three Gazans go days without eating, and 90,000 women and children urgently need treatment for malnutrition. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s offensive has killed close to 60,000

Palestinians, primarily civilians, since the war started on October 7, 2023, following an attack led by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The Hamas-run ministry says 133 people, including 85 children, have died from starvation.

Since March 2025, Israel has been under fire for limiting aid, first to coerce Hamas into freeing hostages and then to loosen restrictions somewhat in May. The UN and more than 100 NGOs have issued “mass starvation” warnings, and calls for action have been heightened by pictures of malnourished children. Although a U.S. analysis found no evidence of systematic theft by Hamas, Israel disputes claims of intentional starvation, claiming that aid restrictions stop Hamas from diverting supplies.

 

Details of the Humanitarian Measures 

Tactical Pauses: Beginning July 27, 2025, the IDF has announced daily 10-hour pauses in military operations in Gaza City (north), Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), and Al-Mawasi (a coastal tent camp). Israel has instructed Palestinians to seek shelter in these areas in an effort to create safer environments for the distribution of aid.
Airdrops: In coordination with international organizations, Israel began airdropping seven pallets of canned food, flour, and sugar on July 27. On the same day, 25 tons of food and supplies were delivered by three airdrops from the UAE and Jordan. Jordan and the UK have promised to keep up their airdrop initiatives.

Humanitarian Corridors: UN convoys use secure routes from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. On July 27, more than 100 Egyptian trucks brought 1,200 tons of food, including 840 tons of flour, through Kerem Shalom. In order to provide water to 900,000 residents, Israel also turned back on a desalination plant.
Incidents: Reports show difficulties despite the pauses. An Israeli airdrop on tents close to al-Rasheed Road injured 11 Palestinians. The IDF claims it fired warning shots at “suspects” posing threats, and Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 25 deaths on July 27, including 11 close to aid convoys. Shortly after a pause started, an airstrike in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City killed a woman and four children, although the IDF denied knowing about the strike.

 

Reactions and Effectiveness 

International Reaction: According to UNRWA’s Philippe Lazzarini, the WFP applauded the actions but stressed the need for a ceasefire and unobstructed land routes because airdrops are “expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians.” According to UN estimates, Gaza requires 62,000 tons of food per month, which is significantly more than the amount that can be delivered by airdrop (five trucks carry 100 tons versus 25 tons from multiple airdrops).
Local Sentiment and Hamas: The pauses were described by Hamas as a “symbolic, deceptive move” to boost Israel’s reputation rather than combat famine. Locals such as Gaza teacher Eyad al-Banna voiced doubt, pointing out that the scope of the crisis calls for more than short-term fixes. Citing previous instances, some, like Hikmat al-Masri, denounced airdrops as “insulting” and risky.

Israeli Viewpoint: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports of starvation while emphasizing that “minimal” aid would continue despite fighting or ceasefire negotiations. The IDF maintains that it is the duty of UN organizations to efficiently distribute aid and stop it from going to Hamas.

 Implications and Challenges 

Although the airdrops and pauses are a step in the right direction, they are not enough to provide full relief for Gaza’s crisis. Although symbolic, airdrops are small-scale and chaotic, and previous events have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. Large-scale aid delivery via land routes is still the only practical option, but distribution is hampered by insecurity and bureaucratic obstacles, which are made worse by the targeting of Hamas-run police. Efforts are complicated by the ongoing conflict, with no ceasefire in sight following the collapse of talks in Doha. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s July 27 interception of an aid ship by Israel serves as a reminder of ongoing limitations on alternate aid routes.