Israeli military operations in southern Gaza have been paused during daylight hours, allowing cautious hopes for increased aid delivery to desperate civilians. Aid agencies are optimistic about the potential to deliver vital supplies to central and southern Gaza from the Kerem Shalom border crossing, but they warn that other restrictions and lawlessness in the territory still pose challenges. The shift in Israeli operations coincides with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disbanding the war cabinet formed after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. The departure of two prominent members from the war cabinet has left Netanyahu more isolated, and major decisions about the war in Gaza will now be put to a broader Israeli security cabinet. The Israeli military's pause in operations was initiated after aid groups requested easier access to the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel has argued that there are no limits on the amount of aid it allows to enter Gaza, blaming logistical issues and theft by Hamas for the failure to move food from Israeli to Palestinian control. The closure of the Rafah crossing and fighting around it has forced aid groups and commercial vendors to route more of their convoys through Israel, where trucks enter Gaza through the crossing at Kerem Shalom. However, once inside Gaza, humanitarian organizations say that Israel does too little to ensure the safety of those delivering aid, citing attacks on aid convoys and workers, including Israeli airstrikes. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a rising need for clean drinking water and ongoing concerns about sanitation and health care. Additionally, Israel continues to trade fire with militants from Hezbollah, raising fears of another full-blown war. A White House official has met with Israeli and Lebanese leaders as the Biden administration seeks to prevent a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Overall, the article highlights the complex and challenging situation in Gaza, with ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis amidst political and military tensions.