Israel ‘agrees’ to four-hour daily humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

Israel has reportedly agreed to a daily four-hour pauses in the northern Gaza Strip to enable civilians to flee the ongoing hostilities.

John Kirby, White House spokesperson, announced the ceasefire on Thursday in a press briefing.

Kirby also said two humanitarian corridors in northern Gaza would be opened to allow Palestinians to seek safety from Israel’s military operations.

According to the White House spokesperson, the pauses emerged from discussions between US and Israeli officials in recent days, including talks President Joe Biden had with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister.

“We understand that Israel will begin to implement four-hour pauses in areas of northern Gaza each day, with an announcement to be made three hours beforehand,” Kirby said.

The US government official clarified that Israel had not agreed to a ceasefire, saying the pauses were only to aid humanitarian interventions.

Although Israel is yet to make an official confirmation of the pauses, the move comes amid calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza where thousands of civilians, including children, have died.

Last weekend, Netanyahu reiterated that operations had been intensified against Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, with no time frame set for their activities.

Netanyahu said the only condition for a cessation of hostilities would be the return of all hostages captured by the militant group during its October 7 attack.

However, concerned foreign nations and bodies have frowned at the prime minister’s stance.