WASHINGTON. In a significant development, Israel has agreed to institute daily four-hour humanitarian pauses in its ongoing assault on Hamas in northern Gaza, as announced by the White House on Thursday. The decision comes as part of President Joe Biden’s persistent efforts to secure a multi-day halt in the fighting, aiming to pave the way for negotiations concerning the release of hostages held by the militant group.
President Biden, who made the request to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Monday call, expressed the need for a three-day pause and even suggested the possibility of a longer cessation. However, Biden clarified that there is currently no formal ceasefire in place, and it took more time than anticipated for Israel to agree to the proposed humanitarian pauses.
The National Security Council disclosed that Israel has committed to announcing each four-hour window at least three hours in advance every day. In addition to these humanitarian pauses, Israel is opening a second corridor to facilitate the evacuation of civilians from the areas currently targeted in its military campaign against Hamas. The new corridor is a coastal road connecting to the territory’s main north-south highway.
While short-term pauses have occurred over the past few days, Thursday’s announcement signifies an effort to formalize and expand the process, responding to the U.S.’s call for enhanced measures to protect civilians in Gaza.
President Biden’s push for an extended pause aligns with a renewed diplomatic initiative to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas and other militant groups during their surprise attack on Israel on October 7. Israeli officials estimate that approximately 239 hostages, including children and the elderly, are still held by militants from the October attack, which also resulted in 1,400 Israeli casualties. U.S. officials believe that fewer than 10 Americans are among those held captive.
The U.S. is actively engaged in discussions with partners, particularly in Qatar, to facilitate the release of hostages. CIA Director William Burns, present in Doha on Thursday, is discussing efforts to free hostages in Gaza with the Qatari prime minister and the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht clarified that there has been no shift in Israeli tactics and emphasized that the daily humanitarian pauses are limited in time and area, focused on providing aid to civilians and allowing their safe evacuation to areas farther south.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously warned Israel about the potential impact on future peace prospects if immediate steps were not taken to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza for Palestinian civilians. The renewed push for an extended pause follows Blinken’s call for Israel to allow increased assistance to Gaza, highlighting concerns that the current situation could lead to further radicalization among Palestinians and hinder future peace talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, addressing a Gaza aid conference on Thursday, appealed to Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians. The conference in Paris includes U.S. representatives, including Uzra Zeya, the State Department’s under secretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, special envoy David Satterfield, and Sarah Charles, who leads USAID’s bureau for humanitarian assistance. Israel has not been invited to the conference, and when asked about this decision, a U.S. official emphasized the focus on constructive conversations.
Satterfield outlined efforts to improve aid delivery in central and southern Gaza but did not specify plans for the northern battle zone other than assisting civilians in evacuating the intensifying Israeli assault. He highlighted ongoing international efforts to provide fuel to reactivate water desalination plants in the south and mentioned that aid deliveries into the south were averaging 100 trucks a day, with two pipelines supplying clean drinking water from Israel being reinstated.
“We do see the ability in the coming days, we hope, to meet the minimum requirements of the population in the south,” Satterfield said. “And I’m speaking of the south and the center, not of the north, which remains a kinetic area.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
