GAZA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Sunday that the entry of humanitarian aid is a fundamental human right for Palestinians and called for the full and permanent reopening of all land crossings into Gaza.
"The arrival of food, medicine, and humanitarian relief to Gaza is a natural right to confront the humanitarian catastrophe created by the occupation," Hamas said.
The remarks came as dozens of aid trucks began entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on Sunday morning, and airdrops of aid resumed on Saturday evening.
Hamas, in the statement, criticized the limited airdrops as "symbolic and misleading," arguing they fail to address the root causes of the crisis.
"The airdrop operations are intended to improve the image of the occupation before the international community and to evade growing global pressure to end its starvation policy," Hamas added. "This is not a solution. It is a policy of managing hunger under bombardment and siege, rather than ending it."
The movement further asserted that resolving the humanitarian crisis requires halting the ongoing military campaign, lifting the blockade, and ensuring the regular and unhindered delivery of aid via land routes in coordination with mechanisms approved by the United Nations.
Also on Sunday, the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said in a press statement that the coastal enclave requires at least 600 aid trucks per day to meet the basic needs of the population.
The essential supplies include baby formula, food items, medical aid, and fuel, according to the media office.
Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave.
According to its statement, more than two million residents of the coastal territory are suffering from catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Thousands of families have gone for days without a single meal, and hospitals are overwhelmed with cases of severe malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant and nursing women, and the elderly.
Amid mounting international pressure to scale up humanitarian assistance, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday a daily "tactical pause" in military activity for humanitarian purposes.
The IDF said the pause would take place from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily in areas where Israeli forces are not operating -- including Al Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City -- until further notice.
"The pause will begin in the areas where the IDF is not operating: Al Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and Gaza City, every day until further notice," it said.
Additionally, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., designated secure routes will be open to facilitate the safe movement of UN and humanitarian convoys distributing aid throughout the Gaza Strip. ■
