Israel agrees to daily 4-hour ceasefire in northern Gaza

The White House says Israel has begun a daily four-hour ceasefire in the northern Gaza Strip to allow civilians to leave the war zone.

"Israel has informed us that there will be no military activity in these areas during the ceasefire. We understand that Israel will begin implementing daily four-hour ceasefires in northern Gaza. They will provide three hours notice each time they are to implement these ceasefires," US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on November 9.

According to Mr. Kirby, the decision to temporarily cease fire was made after discussions between US and Israeli officials in recent days, including talks between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A ceasefire would allow civilians to leave the danger zone, help deliver humanitarian aid into the area and create an opportunity to free hostages being held by Hamas.

Palestinians evacuate from northern to southern Gaza on November 9. Photo: Reuters

"These are important steps in the right direction and we want to see them continue for as long as necessary," the National Security Council spokesman added. "We have urged Israel to do everything possible to minimize civilian casualties."

However, he also reiterated the US view that a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is inappropriate because such a move would give Hamas time to consolidate its forces and "legitimize what they did on October 7".

"We simply do not support a lasting ceasefire at this point," Kirby said.

Earlier, Israeli forces fought Hamas in the rubble of buildings in northern Gaza, moving closer to two major hospitals in the area, while the situation for civilians worsened. Thousands of people were fleeing the fighting in the north and heading south along a main road designated by Israel as a humanitarian evacuation corridor.

But many are holding out in the north, crammed into the Al Shifa and al-Quds hospitals, as ground fighting rages around them and Israeli air strikes continue. Israel accuses Hamas of setting up headquarters in the hospitals, a charge the militant group denies.

Health authorities in the Gaza Strip say more than 10,800 people have been killed and more than 26,900 injured since Israel launched an offensive in response to a Hamas raid on October 7. The United Nations and many countries around the world have repeatedly called for a humanitarian truce to allow civilians to evacuate and access humanitarian aid.

The situation of the war in the Gaza Strip. Graphics: War Mapper

Israel - Hamas war developments

Huyen Le (According to Reuters , CNN )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/israel-chap-nhan-tam-ngung-ban-4-gio-moi-ngay-o-bac-gaza-4675130.html