Israel has announced it will permit a limited amount of food aid to enter Gaza, ending a strict 10-week blockade that had brought the region to the edge of famine.
The decision was made public on Sunday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office amid a surge in Israeli military ground operations across the Gaza Strip, part of the ongoing offensive called “Operation Gideon’s Chariot.”
The prime minister’s office explained that the move follows advice from the Israeli Defense Forces aimed at preventing a “starvation crisis” that could hinder their military goals.
However, the statement emphasized that the aid allowed will be minimal and tightly controlled to prevent Hamas from diverting the supplies.
“Israel will allow a basic quantity of food to be brought in for the population, to make certain no starvation crisis develops. Israel will also act to deny Hamas’s ability to take control of the distribution of humanitarian assistance,” the statement said.
Since early March, the blockade has cut off all food, fuel, and medical supplies to Gaza, resulting in dire conditions for its 2.1 million residents.
Aid organizations have repeatedly warned of a looming famine, with disturbing images and reports of severely malnourished children increasing international pressure on Israel to relax the restrictions.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was among the latest voices urging Israel to permit the “immediate, massive and unhampered” delivery of humanitarian aid.
This announcement came amid a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults targeting multiple areas including Khan Younis, Beit Lahia, and the Jabalia refugee camp.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 67 deaths and more than 360 injuries in the last 24 hours.
Strikes also hit the al-Mawasi camp, previously considered a “safe zone”, resulting in at least 22 deaths and over 100 injuries, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
Israel’s military maintains that its operations are focused on dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages.
“We will strike any area used for rocket launches,” the army declared, urging civilians to evacuate to al-Mawasi.
Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system has been severely impacted. The health ministry confirmed that three public hospitals in North Gaza have ceased operations due to relentless bombardment.
The Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia suffered particularly, with staff reporting that IDF tanks surrounded the facility and opened fire while 55 people, including medical personnel and patients, were inside.
Though the IDF later withdrew, the hospital remains out of commission. Gaza health officials deny any Hamas presence at the hospital, contradicting Israeli claims that they targeted terrorist infrastructure there.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Doha remain at an impasse. Israeli media report that Netanyahu’s office is “exhausting every possibility” to reach a deal.
The proposed terms reportedly include the release of all hostages, exile of Hamas leaders, and full disarmament of Gaza.
However, a senior Hamas official told reporters no progress had been made, citing Israel’s refusal to accept a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas has offered to free all hostages in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal and significant humanitarian aid—terms Israel has yet to agree to.
“Israel wants to retrieve its hostages in one or two batches in return for a temporary truce,” the Hamas official said. “We reject any partial or temporary arrangements.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing families of Israeli captives, warned that ongoing military strikes put hostages at greater risk.
“Testimonies from released hostages describe significantly worsened treatment following military strikes,” the group said, citing incidents of abuse, restraint, and starvation.
The conflict began with Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.
Israel’s response has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, with local health authorities reporting over 53,000 Palestinian deaths.
Currently, about 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 23 believed to be alive.
The United States has voiced increasing concern over the humanitarian crisis. Senator Marco Rubio called the situation “deeply troubling” and urged both sides to work toward a sustainable ceasefire.