The Israeli military has begun a "tactical pause" in fighting in three areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day to address a worsening humanitarian situation.

The statement issued late Saturday came after increasing accounts of starvation-related deaths in Gaza following months of experts’ warnings of famine.

It marks the latest setback in efforts to secure a deal that would bring a ceasefire to Gaza and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James quietly circulated a petition Saturday to other Democrats pushing an end to the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza that failed to mention Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, both claiming it had become clear that the Palestinian militants did not want a deal.

Israel Defense Forces are taking new steps to improve the delivery of aid to Gazans, who the IDF says are not subject to famine despite contrary reports.

Other Hamas and Palestinian sources said that Hamas captors have been instructed to murder any live hostages if the IDF gets close. The Hamas terrorist organization fears the possibility of a joint US-Israeli military operation to rescue hostages in the Gaza Strip,

Israel has long restricted aid to Gaza on the argument that Hamas steals it to use as a weapon of control over the population. On Saturday, the Israeli military announced new airdrops of aid.