IDF plans Gaza aid restart amid hostage negotiation stalemate

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are gearing up to resume the delivery of food, medicine, and fuel to Gaza, even as negotiations to secure the release of remaining hostages or dismantle the Hamas terror group remain stalled, according to a report by Yediot Aharonot. This move comes despite the absence of a breakthrough in talks, signaling a shift driven by legal and humanitarian pressures rather than strategic victories. The military recently introduced a tool dubbed the "humanitarian dimmer," which estimates that Gaza currently holds enough supplies to sustain itself for another month. Nevertheless, the IDF is pressing forward with plans to ensure aid flows into the region.

As part of this effort, the IDF is set to launch a pilot program, likely near Rafah, where soldiers will oversee the direct distribution of aid to Gazan civilians in partnership with international organizations. The primary motivation appears to be avoiding potential breaches of international law, which could hold not only Israel’s political leaders accountable but also the military commanders executing operations on the ground. During a 43-day ceasefire, Israel facilitated the entry of 600 truckloads of aid daily—triple the amount provided during active combat. However, much of this aid bolsters Hamas’ grip on power, with less than half reaching civilians. The terror group siphons off a portion for its own use and sells the remainder at inflated prices, undermining the intended relief.

Last month, Israel’s Supreme Court, often criticized as left-leaning, rejected a petition from human rights groups asserting that Israel is legally obligated to supply Gaza with humanitarian aid. Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit emphasized that the state does not typically provide such goods directly but permits their entry based on directives from political leaders. In response to the Yediot Aharonot report, the IDF underscored that it follows the political echelon’s guidance and firmly denied that any aid is handed over to Hamas, aiming to clarify its role amid the complex dynamics of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.