October 1, 2026
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military Sunday began limited pauses in fighting in three populated areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day, part of measures including airdrops of supplies.
The military said the “tactical pause” from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, all with large populations, would increase humanitarian aid entering the territory.
United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher welcomed Israel's decision to support a “one-week scale-up of aid" and said “some movement restrictions appear to have been eased."
“Whichever path we choose, we will have to continue to allow the entry of minimal humanitarian supplies," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
As the military had warned, combat operations continued otherwise.
“I came to get flour for my children because they have not tasted flour for more than a week, and thank God, God provided me with a kilo of rice with difficulty,” said Sabreen Hassona, as other Palestinians trudged along a dusty road carrying sacks of food from the Zikim crossing.
Israel's military said 28 aid packages containing food were airdropped, and said it would put in place secure routes for aid delivery. It said the steps were made in coordination with the U.N. and other humanitarian groups.
The U.N. World Food Program said it had enough food in, or on its way, to feed all of Gaza for nearly three months.
Meanwhile, ceasefire efforts appeared to be in doubt. Israel and the U.S. recalled negotiating teams from Qatar on Thursday, blaming Hamas, and Israel said it was considering “alternative options” to talks.
Israel says it is prepared to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile, something the terrorist group has refused.
After ending the latest ceasefire in March, Israel cut off the entry of food, medicine, fuel, and other supplies to Gaza for 2 ½ months, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Fifty of them remain in Gaza, over half of them believed to be dead.
Under international pressure, Israel slightly eased the blockade in May. Since then, the average of 69 trucks a day has been far below the 500 to 600 trucks the U.N. says are needed. The U.N. says it has been unable to distribute much aid because hungry crowds and gangs take most of it from trucks.
Israel asserts the U.N. system allows Hamas to steal aid. The U.N. denies it.
Israel's military said two soldiers were killed in Gaza, bringing the total to 898 since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack that sparked the war. Hamas killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in that attack, and abducted 251 hostages.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, according to claims by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Its count doesn’t distinguish between militants and civilians.
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