Israel has agreed to a daily four-hour humanitarian pause in the fighting in northern Gaza, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed Thursday morning, March 9.
Kirby told reporters that the four-hour humanitarian pause will be implemented in northern Gaza beginning on Thursday.
According to Kirby, the Israelis have informed the U.S. that there will be no military action in northern Gaza during the pause, the timing of which will be announced daily, three hours before the pause begins.
Israeli officials also confirmed the daily four-hour pause and said the pause is intended to allow people to move to southern Gaza and obtain food and medicine.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that “the fighting continues and there will be no ceasefire without the release of the hostages.” Israel is allowing safe passage through the humanitarian corridor from the northern Gaza Strip to the south. We again call on the citizens of Gaza to evacuate to the south.
Kirby characterized the steps Israel is taking as a “good step in the right direction” to comply with international law and ensure the safety of its citizens. Kirby warned that Hamas might try to discourage or prevent civilians from leaving.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said he might allow a “lull” in the fighting for humanitarian reasons, but as his office indicated, he has rejected the idea of a ceasefire.
Israel has been fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7.
