The Israeli military on Sunday began a limited pause in fighting in three populated areas of Gaza for 10 hours a day, part of a series of steps launched as concerns over surging hunger in the territory mount and as Israel faces a wave of international criticism over its conduct in the 21-month war.

Israel rolled back curbs on aid distribution to Gaza over the weekend in an effort to defuse a growing international outcry over hunger convulsing the shattered Palestinian enclave. The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday suspended some military operations against Hamas to facilitate the movement of UN relief convoys,

Facing growing international condemnation over Palestinians starving to death in Gaza, Israel’s military is making a series of moves that it says will allow more aid into the enclave. Follow for live updates.