The White House has announced that Israel has agreed to implement four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its attack on Hamas in northern Gaza. The pauses will begin on Thursday and aim to provide relief to civilians caught in the conflict.
President Joe Biden personally requested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to initiate these pauses during a phone call on Monday.
The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, stated that the first pause would be announced on Thursday, with the Israelis committing to providing a three-hour advance notice for each subsequent four-hour window. This development comes as the Biden administration has also secured an additional means for civilians to escape the ongoing fighting.
Biden informed reporters that he requested the Israelis to extend the pause in negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas to more than three days. However, he made it clear that a general cease-fire was not on the table.
Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned Israel that if it didn’t take prompt action to improve the humanitarian situation for Palestinian civilians in Gaza while intensifying its conflict with Hamas, it could jeopardize the potential for future peace.
In a direct request, Blinken urged Israel to temporarily stop military operations in the area so that assistance can be delivered promptly and in larger quantities. He emphasized that if the situation continues, it will push Palestinians towards more radical beliefs and effectively eliminate any chance of future peace talks to resolve the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron initiated a Gaza aid conference on Thursday, where he called on Israel to prioritize the safety of civilians. He emphasized that every life holds equal value and that fighting terrorism should always be conducted within a framework of rules.
