Israel will “begin to implement four-hour pauses in areas of northern Gaza each day, with an announcement to be made three hours beforehand,” White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday.
The pauses are meant to help civilians to depart areas of active hostilities, increase the flow of aid and enable hostage releases, according to Kirby.
The White House spokesman declined to provide specifics on areas affected by the pauses, instead referring reporters to the Israel Defense Forces.
“We’re glad to see this move,” he said. “It’s a significant set of steps, significant muscle movements.”
Israeli strikes have been pounding Gaza City, with officials saying Gaza’s largest city is the focus of their campaign to crush Hamas following its deadly Oct. 7 assault inside Israel.
