Israel agrees to daily 4 hour humanitarian pauses in northern Gaza fighting

On Thursday morning, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that Israel has agreed to daily humanitarian pauses lasting for four hours in the conflict in northern Gaza. Kirby informed reporters that these pauses will implemented on Thursday and will have no military operations by Israel in these areas during the pauses. Additionally, Kirby mentioned that the exact timing of each pause will be announced three hours prior to its start each day.

An Israeli official has also confirmed the daily pauses lasting four hours, explaining that they aim to facilitate the movement of people to the southern region of Gaza for obtaining essential supplies like food and medication. 

"The fighting continues and there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages," the Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement. "Israel is allowing safe passage through humanitarian corridors from the northern Gaza Strip to the south, which 50,000 Gazans utilized just yesterday. We once again call on the civilian population of Gaza to evacuate to the south."

Kirby commended Israel for taking these measures, considering them as positive actions aligning with international law and prioritizing civilian safety. Kirby cautioned that Hamas might attempt to dissuade or obstruct civilians from leaving. 

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the notion of a ceasefire, despite his willingness to consider short breaks in the fighting for humanitarian purposes.