Israel announces ‘tactical pause’ in southern Gaza fighting to ease aid backlog

Israel’s military has said it will suspend fighting during daytime hours along a route in southern Gaza to free up a backlog of humanitarian aid deliveries (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israel’s military announced on Sunday that it will suspend fighting during daytime hours along a route in southern Gaza to free up a backlog of humanitarian aid deliveries destined for desperate Palestinians enduring a humanitarian crisis sparked by the war, now in its ninth month.

The “tactical pause” announced by the military, which applies to about 7.4 miles (12km) of road in the Rafah area, falls far short of a complete ceasefire in the beleaguered territory that has been sought by the international community, including Israel’s top ally, the United States.