The Israeli military has announced a tactical pause of military activity along a route in southern Gaza to allow aid to be distributed but stressed that there would be no let up in fighting in and around Rafah in southern Gaza.
Israel Defense Force (IDF) said the pause will take place every day from 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. local time until further notice, to allow trucks to move from the Kerem Shalom Crossing, the main entry point for incoming aid to southern Gaza, up the Salah al-Din Road and northwards.
Soon after announcing the move, the IDF said the fighting in Rafah will continue, adding that there was no change in the entry of goods into the Strip.
Director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza, Scott Anderson, welcomed the tactical pause saying he hoped that the pause every day will allow them move freely back and forth
According to an Israeli official, Netanyahu was unhappy when he first heard about the ordered pause and contacted his military secretary saying the idea was unacceptable, until he was assured the fighting in Rafah would continue.
The IDF designated a route from Kerem Shalom to Al Bayuk and onto the European Hospital in Khan Younis to be open during the day for the transportation of humanitarian aid only
It will be run in coordination with international organizations, as part of efforts to increase volumes of aid reaching Gaza.