US to demand short-term "pauses" from Israel in war with Hamas – NYT
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, will urge the Israeli government to agree to a series of short-term cessations of military operations in the Gaza Strip to ensure the release of hostages and the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Source: The New York Times
Details: What US officials are calling "humanitarian pauses" is one of several issues Blinken will raise with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials in Israel on Friday.
Speaking to journalists before boarding a plane for the Middle East, Blinken said part of his mission would be to help ensure the protection of civilians in Gaza Strip during the time of war.
White House officials stressed that the request for a pause is far different from a general ceasefire, which, the Biden administration believes, will benefit Hamas and allow it to recover from intense Israeli bombardments.
Background:
- On 11 October, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported the assassination of Hamas’ Finance Minister Jawad Abu Shamala.
- Additionally, on 12 October, the Israeli military reported that it had killed a senior Hamas naval officer and attacked several operational headquarters from which Hamas had organised a terrorist invasion of Israeli territory.
- On 1 November, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant reported that the IDF had made huge progress in its ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
- In addition, reports emerged on Wednesday that one of the Hamas commanders, Ibrahim Biari, had been killed in a strike on a refugee camp in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip.
On 2 November, the second Israeli air strike in two days on the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip claimed the lives of at least 80 people.
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