Israel Declares Gaza City a “Combat Zone” as Humanitarian Pauses End

Jerusalem – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officially declared Gaza City a “combat zone” on Thursday, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict and effectively ending the humanitarian pauses that had allowed limited food and medical deliveries into the area. The announcement has raised alarm among international aid agencies, human rights groups, and regional diplomats, who warn that the decision will exacerbate what the United Nations has already described as “one of the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crises.”

Humanitarian Pauses: A Short-Lived Relief

For weeks, the temporary humanitarian pauses coordinated by the IDF, the UN, and aid organizations provided brief windows for the entry of food, medical supplies, and clean water into Gaza City. These pauses, though limited in scope and duration, were seen as a lifeline for thousands of civilians trapped by continuous fighting.

With Thursday’s declaration, these pauses have ended. According to an IDF spokesperson, the suspension comes amid “operational necessity” and intelligence indicating that militant groups had allegedly used the pauses to reposition and rearm.

Aid organizations, however, strongly dispute that narrative. A senior official at the World Food Programme (WFP) told reporters, “The need for food assistance in Gaza is at catastrophic levels. Cutting off even short relief periods makes survival nearly impossible for ordinary families.”

Civilian Toll: “We Have Nowhere to Go”

Residents inside Gaza City describe worsening conditions. Water shortages, food insecurity, and damaged medical facilities have left civilians increasingly desperate. Hospitals, already stretched by weeks of conflict, are reporting a surge in trauma cases, with doctors warning that they are running out of basic supplies like anesthesia, antibiotics, and surgical equipment.

“We are living minute by minute,” said Amal Hassan, a 42-year-old mother sheltering in Gaza’s Shuja’iyya neighborhood. “Without food trucks, without medicine, we have nowhere to go, nothing to keep our children alive.”

The humanitarian consequences are compounded by forced displacement. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 1.4 million people in Gaza have been displaced since the latest round of violence erupted. The declaration of Gaza City as a combat zone could push even more civilians southward, where overcrowded shelters are already beyond capacity.

International Reaction: Growing Alarm in Diplomatic Circles

Governments and international institutions are responding with urgency.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the move, saying that halting humanitarian pauses risked pushing the civilian population “into famine-like conditions.” He urged Israel to reconsider and allow at least partial aid corridors to resume.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session to discuss the development. Several diplomats have signaled that the declaration could undermine fragile mediation efforts between Israel and regional actors.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, took a cautious tone. A U.S. State Department spokesperson emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense but reiterated Washington’s position that “humanitarian needs must remain a priority.” Analysts suggest this measured response reflects the Biden administration’s balancing act between supporting Israel militarily and addressing growing domestic and international criticism of civilian suffering in Gaza.

For in-depth humanitarian analysis, the International Committee of the Red Cross has highlighted the dire risks of cutting aid, urging all parties to uphold international humanitarian law.

Israel’s Justification: Security Imperatives

From Israel’s perspective, the declaration is framed as a matter of national security. The IDF maintains that militant groups within Gaza, particularly Hamas, are using civilian areas as cover for their operations, thereby justifying the combat zone designation.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, “We cannot allow pauses that give terror organizations breathing room. Declaring Gaza City a combat zone is necessary to ensure operational success and protect Israeli civilians.”

Military analysts point out that such declarations are not new. During past conflicts, Israel has invoked similar terms to delineate areas of intense operations. However, the timing of this move, amid rising international scrutiny, underscores the strategic gamble.

Humanitarian Agencies: “This Is a Red Line”

Non-governmental organizations see the situation differently. The Human Rights Watch warned that treating an entire city as a combat zone without ensuring civilian safety sets a troubling precedent.

“International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate measures that endanger civilian populations,” said Lama Fakih, HRW’s Middle East director. “Israel’s decision to suspend humanitarian pauses and declare Gaza City off-limits to aid is a red line that risks mass civilian suffering.”

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) echoed those concerns, stressing that hospitals are not safe zones under the new designation. Without protected humanitarian corridors, medical evacuations become nearly impossible.

Broader Regional Implications

The declaration reverberates beyond Gaza. Neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan, have expressed concern that the worsening crisis could destabilize the region. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry released a statement urging restraint, while Jordanian officials warned that the continued escalation risked inflaming public anger across the Middle East.

Regional security analysts note that cutting humanitarian lifelines may also embolden non-state actors, potentially widening the conflict. “This isn’t just about Gaza,” said Yossi Melman, an Israeli security commentator. “It’s about the narrative in the wider Arab world, where Israel’s actions are seen as collective punishment.”

Future Outlook: What Comes Next?

The end of humanitarian pauses leaves critical questions unanswered. Will Israel allow limited aid deliveries through alternate mechanisms? Can international mediators broker a new arrangement for civilian protection? Or will Gaza’s humanitarian crisis spiral further, with political costs rising for all parties involved?

The UN has proposed the establishment of a permanent humanitarian corridor overseen by neutral parties, but Israeli officials remain skeptical. Meanwhile, aid groups are pressing for at least a reinstatement of short pauses to prevent mass starvation and disease outbreaks.

Conclusion

Declaring Gaza City a combat zone marks a turning point in the conflict, raising the stakes for civilians and testing the resolve of international actors to intervene diplomatically. While Israel argues that the measure is necessary for security, humanitarian organizations insist that the move pushes Gaza closer to catastrophe.

As the world watches, the balance between military objectives and humanitarian obligations is being tested in one of the most volatile regions on Earth. The coming weeks will reveal whether the international community can compel a shift in strategy—or whether Gaza’s population will bear the full brunt of an unrelenting war.