New Delhi: In a measure of respite for civilians in Gaza caught up in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the White House on Thursday announced a deal as part of which the Israeli forces would suspend their ongoing ground operations for four hours daily to enable Gazans to escape the fierce fighting in the coastal enclave, news agency AP reported.
Calling the pauses in the ongoing hostilities as a step in the right direction, White House spokesman John Kirby also announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors in north Gaza to enable Palestinians to move out of harm's way and seek refuge from the war.
“We’ve been told by the Israelis that there will be no military operations in these areas over the duration of the pause, and that this process is starting today,” Kirby said.
"We understand that Israel will begin to implement four-hour pauses in areas of northern Gaza each day, with an announcement to be made three hours beforehand," Kirby added, as reported by news agency Reuters.
The development comes in the wake of discussions over the recent days, including that between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kirby further said.
Kirby said the “pauses” would provide a “breathing space for a few hours” for the civilians.
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“We have been urging the Israelis to minimize civilian casualties and to do everything that they can to reduce those numbers,” he added.
It is to be noted that after militant group Hamas unleashed a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people and taking 240 hostage, Israel retaliated with its air strikes and ground invasion seeking to oust the Islamist group from Gaza.