Closing summary
The Guardian’s live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East is coming to a close. Here’s a round-up of today’s key events:
The Israeli military said it had beun a “tactical pause” in the densely populated areas of Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi to “increase the scale of humanitarian aid” into the Gaza strip. The pause would be repeated every day from 10am to 8pm local time until further notice and Israel would continue fighting in other areas of Gaza.
Jordan and the UAE have reportedly carried out air drops into Gaza but Oxfam said the amount of food being allowed to trickle into the devastated territory is totally inadequate for the population’s need. Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam policy lead for the Occupied Palestinian territory, said: “What’s needed is the immediate opening of all crossings for full, unhindered, and safe aid delivery across all of Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Anything less risks being little more than a tactical gesture.”
Malnutrition is on a dangerous trajectory in the Gaza Strip, marked by a spike in deaths in July, the World Health Organization said. Of 74 malnutrition-related deaths in 2025, 63 occurred in July –including 24 children under five, a child over five, and 38 adults, the organisation said.
British foreign secretary David Lammy said Israel’s decision to pause military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and allow new aid corridors falls short of what is needed to alleviate suffering in the territory. Lammy said in a statement that Israel’s announcement was “essential but long overdue”, and that access to aid must now be urgently accelerated over the coming hours and days.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer will recall his cabinet from their summer break to discuss the situation in Gaza, amid growing pressure on the Labour government to recognise a Palestinian state. The recall comes after Starmer said on Friday the British government would recognise a Palestinian state only as part of a negotiated peace deal, disappointing many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France in taking swifter action.
US president Donald Trump said on Sunday Israel would have to make a decision on its next steps in Gaza, adding that he did not know what would happen after moves by Israel to pull out of ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations with Hamas. Speaking at a press conference, Trump was asked whether Israel should be doing more to get food into Gaza. He replied: “You know, we gave $60m two weeks ago – and no one even acknowledged it – for food. And, it’s terrible. You really at least want somebody to at least say thank you.”
You can read our full report on Israel’s decision to begin daily pauses in its military action in Gaza – and Palestinians’ reactions to that decision – here.
Here are some more of Donald Trump’s comments from that press conference:
Trump said he had met with some families of Israeli hostages still trapped in Gaza. On the return of the hostages, he said: “When you get it down to a certain number, you’re not going to be able to make a deal with Hamas, because once they give them up, then they feel that that’s going to be the end of them.
“And what I said is exactly true. You know, they had a routine discussion the other day and all of a sudden they hardened up. They don’t want to give. them back. And so Israel is going to have to make a decision. I know what I’d do, but I don’t think it’s appropriate that I say, but Israel is going to have to make a decision.”
On the images of starving children in Gaza, Trump said: “Well, it’s terrible. You know, when I see the children and when I see, especially over the last couple of weeks, and people are stealing the food, they’re stealing the money, they’re stealing weapons. They’re stealing everything. It’s a mess. That whole place is a mess.”
Updated
