United States National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Israel has agreed to implement four-hour pauses in fighting in Northern Gaza to let civilians leave the area and allow the delivery of aid. "We've been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas throughout the pause and that this process is starting today," he told reporters.
Kirby said the pauses should happen once a day and that they will be announced three hours in advance. "We remain concerned that Hamas will discourage or prevent civilians from fleeing the same time when encouraging people to leave," he noted, adding that it is "critical" that humanitarian supplies and assistance are expanded to southern Gaza, where many Palestinians are moving.
