Israel has agreed to four-hour daily pauses in fighting in northern Gaza, according to the US. The White House said these were intended to give civilians the opportunity to escape. There is also apparently hope for some hostages.
According to US information, Israel is introducing ceasefires lasting several hours in parts of the Gaza Strip. There will be no military operations in the north of the Palestinian territory for four hours every day, the US presidential office said, citing its close ally. The breaks are a step in the right direction. They should therefore always be announced three hours in advance.
US President Joe Biden has campaigned for these breaks, it said. During these breaks it will be possible to bring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. They could also provide a “sufficient window of time to help people get out of harm’s way,” Kirby emphasized. They are also a way to get hostages safely out of the Gaza Strip. The White House did not provide further details.
General ceasefire only against the release of hostages
In addition, the government in Washington has set the goal of no fewer than 150 trucks carrying relief supplies entering the Gaza Strip every day. Deliveries would have to be increased quickly, it was said.
With regard to a general ceasefire, the Israeli government continues to insist on its demand that it only be granted in return for the release of held hostages. “The fighting continues and there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” said a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. An army spokesman also said: “There is no ceasefire. I repeat, there is no ceasefire,” said Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht. “What we’re doing, this four-hour window, is tactical, local pauses for humanitarian assistance.”
Hope for some of the abducted hostages
There may be hope for some of the abducted hostages. With the mediation of the Gulf Emirate of Qatar, which maintains good relations with the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas, and in consultation with the USA, negotiations are underway to free around a dozen prisoners. This was confirmed by a person with knowledge of these discussions to the dpa news agency.
Also negotiations between Hamas and Thailand
At the same time, there are – independently of this – negotiations between Hamas and Thailand regarding the release of 23 Thai hostages, which Iran is mediating. According to information from his ministry, the country’s Foreign Minister, Hussein Amirabdollahian, met with his Thai colleague Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara in the Qatari capital Doha around a week ago. Thailand asked Iran to help the hostages.
Amirabdollahian therefore discussed the issue with Hamas representatives. In recent weeks, the minister has repeatedly exchanged views with the leadership of the Islamist Palestinian organization, including with Hamas boss Ismail Haniya, who lives in Doha. However, Hamas has made it clear that it will only release prisoners if Israeli attacks on Gaza stop.
Fighting in the Gaza Strip continues
Meanwhile, according to the army, Israeli ground troops captured a base of the Islamist Hamas after heavy fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. The military said this was in the refugee district of Jabalia. It was said that both Hamas and Islamic Jihad were involved in the ten-hour-long battle. The Israeli soldiers fought above and below ground and, according to the military, excavated parts of a vast network of tunnels and underground bases belonging to the radical Islamic organization. One of the tunnel entrances was right next to a kindergarten.
According to Palestinian information, at least nine people were killed in an Israeli military operation in Jenin in the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said 15 others were injured. According to the Israeli army, a drone attacked armed residents in the town during the operation. Jenin is considered a stronghold of militant Palestinians.