Israel announced a daily 'tactical pause' in military operations around a route in south Gaza to facilitate aid deliveries, addressing months of famine warnings in the besieged Palestinian territory.

This pause, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm local time, affects the road from the Kerem Shalom crossing to Salah al-Din road, extending to Rafah's European Hospital.

The decision follows the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers in a blast near Rafah and three others elsewhere.

The UN and aid groups highlighted severe shortages of essentials in Gaza, worsened by border restrictions and the closure of the Rafah crossing.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on an extremist Israeli group for hindering aid convoys.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences for the soldiers' deaths, reaffirming commitment to war goals against Hamas.

International mediators continue pushing for a ceasefire amidst increasing violence between Israel and Hezbollah.