The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it would henceforth suspend its daily attacks in the south of the country Gaza Strip between 8:00 and 19:00 local time (5:00 GMT – 16:00 GMT) to allow the distribution of humanitarian aid in the area.
The decision comes after «discussions with the UN and international organisations», stated the Armed forces Israelis in a statement.
On a map shared by the authorities it is possible to see the route of the daily Israeli «humanitarian pauses», which comes from the crossing of Kerem Shalomin the south, at the European Hospital of Jan Yunis.
Since the Israeli army entered Rafain southern Gaza, the border crossing early last month Egypt – through which much of the humanitarian aid passes to the enclave – remains closed, and through Kerem Shalom, also in the south, supplies enter only sporadically.
The situation has forced hospitals and clinics to close and has served to exacerbate an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis, according to international organizations such as Doctors Without Borders.
According to the Army, daily pauses in attacks began this Saturday.
In a subsequent statement, Israeli forces clarified that decision it does not imply the cessation of hostilities in the southand stressed that attacks in the city of Rafah will continue.
They also assured that the demilitarized route can only be used for the transport of humanitarian aid, i.e. that civilians will not be able to use it for travel.
The announcement also comes a day after the Israeli army experienced its bloodiest day in Gaza since the start of the war, with the death of eight soldiers when the armored vehicle they were traveling in exploded.
The military’s explanation suggests that a bomb blast hit the vehicle, which was loaded with explosive material, also detonating and triggering a large detonation.
From the war between Israel and Hamas 307 Israeli soldiers died in Gaza. Meanwhile, some 37,296 Gazans have lost their lives, most of them women and children, in ongoing attacks by Israeli forces.
