Israel launched airstrikes on Monday, with witnesses reporting explosions in southern Gaza, although the conflict had largely diminished on the second day of a military-declared “pause” aimed at easing the passage of humanitarian aid.
The relatively calm situation coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dissolving his war cabinet, reflecting internal political divisions.
David Mencer, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, confirmed the cabinet’s dissolution following the resignation of centrist leader Benny Gantz, whose participation required the formation of a war cabinet. David Mencer stated that the security cabinet, which had already finalized decisions proposed by the war cabinet, would assume its responsibilities.
According to Israeli media, this move was intended to counter pressure from far-right factions seeking greater influence in decision-making.
The daytime “pause” to facilitate aid deliveries along a southern Gaza route, announced by Israel’s military over the weekend, appeared to be holding steady on Monday.
Gaza’s health ministry, under Hamas rule, reported 10 fatalities in the previous 24 hours, marking one of the lowest daily death tolls since the conflict’s onset.
Hunger catastrophe:
The October 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel sparked the conflict, resulting in the deaths of 1,194 people, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP count based on Israeli official figures. The militants also seized 251 hostages, with 116 still in Gaza, though the military reports 41 fatalities among them.
Israel’s retaliatory strikes aimed at eliminating Hamas have claimed the lives of at least 37,347 people in Gaza, also predominantly civilians, according to the territory’s health ministry. Large swathes of residential and other infrastructure lie in ruins.
On Monday, witnesses reported hearing explosions in Rafah’s center and west, Gaza’s southernmost city. Palestinian officials reported tank shelling early in the day, before the start of the daily “local, tactical pause of military activity” announced by the Israeli army.
Elsewhere in the Palestinian territory, an AFP correspondent noted a reduction in airstrikes and shelling.
Medics at Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City confirmed at least five fatalities from separate airstrikes, while witnesses reported tank shelling in the Zeitun district. Residents of Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza reported at least one strike.
The military specified that the humanitarian pause, scheduled “from 8:00 am (0500 GMT) until 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) every day until further notice,” would apply along a route from Kerem Shalom crossing to Salah al-Din road and northwards.
Fighting as planned:
Troops continued operations in Rafah and central Gaza, reporting “close-quarters combat” that resulted in the deaths of several militants, the military said.
Since ground forces entered Rafah against Hamas in early May, they have killed hundreds of militants and discovered “hundreds” of tunnel shafts, according to a military statement on Monday.
“There has been no change” in the military’s strategy, and the fighting “continues as planned,” emphasized an Israeli official, speaking anonymously to AFP.
Mahmud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense agency, reported relative calm in other parts of the Gaza Strip, apart from the deadly strikes in Gaza City.
The UN cited severe hindrances to aid access in Gaza, including insecurity, closure of crossing points, and Israeli procedural delays. The vital Rafah crossing with Egypt has remained shut since Israeli forces seized its Palestinian side in early May.
“The concept behind the tactical pause is primarily to enable the UN to collect and distribute more aid,” explained Shimon Freedman, spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli defense ministry body overseeing Palestinian civilian affairs, during a briefing at Kerem Shalom near Rafah.
‘Awaiting Hamas’
In a message late Sunday marking Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice, US President Joe Biden called for the implementation of a ceasefire plan he proposed last month, asserting it as “the best approach to ending the violence in Gaza.”
Biden’s plan envisages an initial six-week cessation of hostilities, with Hamas releasing hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas has insisted on complete Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners staunchly oppose a ceasefire.
Additionally, Netanyahu faces regular street protests by tens of thousands demanding a resolution to secure the hostages’ release.
A senior Israeli negotiator, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed that many hostages “are alive beyond doubt” but stressed that Israel could not commit to ending the conflict until all captives were released.
The negotiator noted that Israel’s negotiating team had endorsed Biden’s plan.
“We are anticipating and awaiting Hamas’ response,” the negotiator said.
