Israel has agreed to implement four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza, according to the White House, AP News reports.
US President Joe Biden had requested these pauses during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has committed to announcing each four-hour window at least three hours in advance and is opening a second corridor for civilians to evacuate the targeted areas.
Biden is also pushing for a multi-day stoppage to facilitate negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas. Hamas militants still hold an estimated 239 hostages, including 10 Americans, from the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Israel has not yet agreed to the longer pause.
