The Israeli Defense Forces announced a series of new measures to improve humanitarian aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, including the resumption of aerial airdrops and the establishment of humanitarian pauses, as an activist boat, the Handala, continues its journey toward Gaza. The IDF stated that aerial airdrops will include seven pallets of aid with flour, sugar, and canned food, coordinated with international organizations. The measures also include designated humanitarian corridors for safe movement of UN convoys and potential temporary pauses in combat in populated areas. The IDF maintains there is no starvation in Gaza, attributing such claims to Hamas, and places responsibility for effective distribution on the UN and international aid organizations. Meanwhile, the Handala boat, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, reported that two Israeli Navy vessels and a drone are approaching them at sea. Organizers stated the boat has altered course southward toward Egypt, intending to sail parallel to the coast and requesting emergency entry from the Egyptian Coast Guard if threats escalate. The United Arab Emirates also announced it will immediately resume humanitarian aid parachutes. Separately, reports emerged of wounded individuals in Gaza following a parachuting of humanitarian aid, with one account mentioning 11 severely wounded from surfaces falling directly on them. Concerns about aid reaching Hamas were reiterated by the IDF, which stressed that combat operations continue to defeat Hamas and return hostages. In other developments, a Palestinian call urged people not to approach aid trucks entering Gaza. Separately, an extremist incident occurred on Or Nachman Hill in Benjamin, where an armed terrorist opened fire on residents, and has not been apprehended. Aid campaigns in the Kurdistan Region have raised millions for Gaza, though delivery remains challenging. The IDF also confirmed reconnecting a power line to a Gaza desalination plant, increasing daily water output by 20,000 cubic meters.
