Catastrophic hunger - 40% of Gaza's population at risk of famine

Normally, yes, it is highly unusual for a Sovereign Power's military force to make an operational decision without the knowledge of the Government and/or Head Of Government.

Israeli Basic Law asserts:

"Article 2: Subordination to the Civilian Authorities,” reads: (a) “The Army is Subject to the Authority of the Government,” and (b) “The Minister in charge of the Army on behalf of the Government is the Minister of Defence.”

Rule 40 a makes it clear only the Government can declare war, but rule 40 b has some ambiguity in that some operational decisions don't necessarily need the authorisation of the PM or Minister of Defence. This may explain the above if that actually happened.

Israel has a structure of Government that's quite different to what we might be used to.

In general, the Israeli Government is in charge of the broader strategic decisions and Minister of Defence is in charge of day to day operations. Israel has three decision making forums - government, security cabinet, and war cabinet.

UN reporting no evidence on the ground of the 'tactical pause'

''There has been information that such a decision has been taken, but the political level says none of this decision has been taken. So for the time being, I can tell you that hostilities continue in Rafah and in the south of Gaza. And that operationally, nothing has changed yet. For the time being, I see nothing which would qualify to the definition of a pause.''

@Efacsen curious? Positively bizarre.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce99m0n99z0o

More developments

@Dulra curious isn't it?

I am not an expert in wars or military tactics but is it unusual for an army to make decisions like this without the support or at least consultation with the government? Seems strange that Netanyahu would be unaware of such a big decision and what does it mean

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/17/netanyahu-reportedly-criticises-military-tactical-pause-in-gaza-amid-divisions-with-idf

This below is the whole of the COGAT statement which was shown in that Haaretz report about the daily pause for aid:

“As part of our ongoing efforts to increase the volumes of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and following additional related discussions with the UN and international organizations, starting yesterday (Saturday), a local, tactical pause of military activity for humanitarian purposes will take place from 08:00 until 19:00 every day until further notice along the road that leads from the Kerem Shalom Crossing to the Salah al-Din Road and then northwards.”

“This is an additional step in the humanitarian aid efforts that have been conducted by the @IDF and COGAT since the beginning of the war.”

“We will continue to support humanitarian efforts on the ground.”

This daily pause for aid seems to have been decided by the IDF but not by the government.

Let us hope it works.

Haaretz | Israel News

Israeli Army Announces Daily 'Tactical Pause' in Gaza Fighting to Allow for Entry of Aid

Although PM Netanyahu's office denied the prime minister was aware of the policy, army officials said it was in line with his orders. Sources close to Defense Minister Gallant said he had no knowledge of the army's decision

Amid conflicting reports about who issued the order, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday it was undertaking a daily 11-hour "tactical pause" in its Gaza offensive to allow increased deliveries of humanitarian aid.

IDF officials said the pause was in line with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to increase aid to Gaza ahead of the next hearing by the International Court of Justice in The Hague and following incidents in which aid workers were killed by IDF fire.

Netanyahu's office, however, denied the prime minister was aware of the new policy. "When the prime minister heard on Sunday morning the reports about a humanitarian pause for 11 hours a day, he told his military secretary that that is unacceptable," the Prime Minister's Office said.

After the situation was clarified, it was conveyed to the prime minister that there has been no change in the IDF's policy and that the fighting in Rafah would continue as planned."

Sources close to Defense Minuster Yoav Gallant said he also had no knowledge of the army's decision to pause combat in the area. According to Gallant, the cabinet had not approved any such decision.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Givr also insisted that the cabinet had not been informed and sharply criticized the decision.

"Whoever decided on a 'tactical truce' for the purpose of a humanitarian passage, especially at a time when our finest soldiers are falling in battle, is an idiot and a fool who should not be allowed to remain in his position," a statement by Ben-Gvir's office said.

"The time has come to rid ourselves of preconceptions, and stop the crazy and delusional approach that only brings us more dead and fallen," the statement added.

*Senior army officials rejected the criticism and denied that the government had not been informed. They added that military operations in the Rafah area would be suspended from 8 A.M. every day until 7 P.M. until further notice.^

The pause's aim is to enable aid trucks leaving the Kerem Shalom border crossing, the main entry point for incoming aid from Israel, to travel safely to the main Salah al-Din highway, to deliver supplies to other parts of the Strip, it said.

The army added that the pause was being coordinated with the United Nations and international aid agencies. The arrangement aims to reduce the need for coordinating deliveries by providing an 11-hour uninterrupted window each day for trucks to move in and out of the crossing.

The army said that the decision was a military one taken under the authority of the commander of the Southern Command and emphasized that the fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, including in Rafah, would continue.

Sorry, but you are wrong. You've basically swallowed every single lie going from the Israeli propaganda machine.

The tone of this tweet is awful. I don't know why they have to be so childish. Especially when we all know they're deliberately hampering aid efforts and have been for months. Embarrassing.

More food, less fighting 👍

I live in hope this will translate into a real
difference for the people in Gaza. The response from some members of the Israeli government says it all, they are willing to starve innocent children in order to weaken Hamas. Shame on them.

The update from someone (James Elder) in UNICEF is perhaps not giving the whole picture. This was the reply by COGAT.
A few pertinent details you forgot to mention @1James_elder:

1. Your truck had a closed back cabin. You know this is a security concern as Hamas has used them to smuggle weapons in the past.
2. closed back cabin trucks require specific coordination. This is not new. But you didn’t bother to do the coordination.
3. At the checkpoint when COGAT officers spoke with you, you LIED and said the truck didn’t have a closed back cabin.
4. Despite all of the duplicity, we still offered to help you complete the transport, but with a different truck.

Next time try adhering to security protocols and things should go smoothly.
https://x.com/cogatonline/status/1801652581782946160

Before the war Gaza had a functioning health system and education system. Their health and development indicators were similar to or better than other countries with similar GDP. I'm no lover of Hamas and am quite sure some funds were misappropriated, but it is ridiculous to make statements like this. There is also only credible evidence of one attempt by Hamas to hijack an aid shipment, which was ultimately unsuccessful. I'm sure Hamas have more food that the general population, but the idea that Gaza is awash with food and it is being hoarded by Hamas is just ridiculous. Details on the amount of food entering the country make it clear it is grossly inadequate. There is a genuine lack of food in Gaza which is being exacerbated by Israel's reluctance to allow aid in and lack of security in distributing it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgeepk8rp9xo

There's a link from @Kindatired 's article to a UNICEF report and it says

“Our warnings of mounting child deaths from a preventable combination of malnutrition, dehydration and disease should have mobilized immediate action to save children’s lives, and yet, this devastation continues,” Khodr said. “With hospitals destroyed, treatments stopped and supplies scant, we are poising for more child suffering and deaths.”

I think that's what most people with any humanity expected but instead nothing. The really depressing thing the latest polls in Israel shows support growing again for BN and his miserable Govt. Almost 3,000 malnourished children at risk of “dying before their families’ eyes” as Rafah offensive disconnects them from treatment - UNICEF

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czvv92g550xo

I see more pictures of Gazan children starving to death on social media today. God help all those disabled or vulnerable children who are dying. I can't even imagine what's happening to young babies in Gaza. Their poor parents. It's beyond comprehension for normal people.

The gaslighting and genocide support from the West and wealthy nations this week is sickening. I hope those announcing support never have a moment's peace again.

This cannot go unchecked. Provide evidence from a reliable source. If you cannot, just admit that you’re acting as part of the Israeli “public diplomacy” because all the reliable evidence is pointing towards Israel obstructing the delivery of aid at every level. There is some evidence of looting but not of systematic appropriation by Hamas during current conflict.

No-one on this board has denied that Hamas are ruthless terrorists linked to corruption for many years-bringing that up in connection to the current humanitarian crisis is completely irrelevant. Israel is currently occupying Gaza and it has a moral and legal obligation to protect civilians and provide them with basic humanitarian assistance to preserve life and human dignity. It is failing to meet this obligation with massive hardship and loss of human life.

He's on Irish radio now ❤
He says that some people remain hopeful that's all they've got, others just wants this over, "if a missile lands on my tent tonight good it ends" 💔

"Whatever the military aims may be it has become a war on children"

Here he is on Radio 4 describing what happened.

x.com/saulstaniforth/status/1801509615856726121?s=46&t=tm415yZZZz0e-dE263leqA

Delusional
the cognitive dissonance is too much to rationalise

He's always being interviewed on Irish radio you can hear the desperation and frustration in his voice. I don't know how he still manages to stay there. Brave, compassionate, selfless guy. We need more James Elders in this world.

"Two fishermen, seeking food for their families, shot dead on the beach in front of us"

My god.

That's James Elder, their spokesman - same guy i referenced below.

They'll be calling UNICEF antisemitic next.