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Israel will begin four-hour pauses in northern Gaza starting on Thursday to allow people to flee hostilities, the White House said in what it called a step in the right direction.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the pauses emerged out of discussions between US and Israeli officials in recent days, including talks US President Joe Biden had with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Kirby said the pauses would allow people to get out of harm’s way and for deliveries of humanitarian aid and could be used as a way to get hostages out.
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Palestinian death toll over 10,000 in Israel-Hamas war, with Gaza casualty figures in spotlight
Palestinian death toll over 10,000 in Israel-Hamas war, with Gaza casualty figures in spotlight
“We’ve been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today,” Kirby said.
“We understand that Israel will begin to implement four-hour pauses in areas of northern Gaza” with an announcement to come three hours in advance,” he said.
He called the news a step in the right direction.
Israel-Hamas fight heats up in Gaza City, as more Palestinians flee south
Israel-Hamas fight heats up in Gaza City, as more Palestinians flee south
“We think these are significant first steps here and obviously we want to see them continued for as long as they are needed,” he added.
Kirby also said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants is not in order because it would help Hamas and “legitimise what they did on October 7 and we simply are not going to stand for that at this time”.
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