Israel to allow limited food aid into Gaza as ground offensive expands

Israel will allow limited amounts of food aid into Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Sunday, as the Israeli military launched extensive ground operations in both the northern and southern areas of the besieged enclave.

The move comes amid growing international criticism over a humanitarian blockade imposed by Israel in March, which aid organizations say has brought parts of Gaza to the brink of famine. Over the past week, Palestinian health officials reported that at least 464 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, including 130 overnight between Saturday and Sunday.

“At the recommendation of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), and out of the operational need to enable the expansion of intense fighting to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

The United Nations confirmed it had been approached by Israeli authorities regarding the resumption of aid.

“Israel has contacted us to resume limited aid delivery,” said Eri Kaneko, a spokesperson for U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher. “Discussions are ongoing about the logistics, given the conditions on the ground.”

Israel’s announcement came as indirect ceasefire talks between Israeli and Hamas representatives in Qatar stalled, with no reported progress. Netanyahu confirmed that negotiations included discussions on a potential truce, a hostage deal, and a wider plan to end the war — which would require Hamas militants to go into exile and the Gaza Strip to be demilitarized. Hamas has previously rejected such terms.

Despite the renewed military campaign, Israeli officials signaled that a pause in fighting could still be possible if it advances efforts in Doha. “The military will continue operations but will provide the flexibility needed to reach a hostage deal,” said IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in a message to troops operating in Gaza.

The military said its new offensive, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” involves a series of targeted operations aimed at achieving “operational control” in key areas. Over 670 Hamas targets were struck in the past week, according to an IDF statement, which claimed dozens of Hamas fighters had been killed.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported the death toll from the conflict continues to rise sharply. In the week leading up to Sunday, at least 464 Palestinians were confirmed killed in Israeli strikes.