Israel agrees to a five-hour pause in its strikes on Gaza

Published July 17, 2014
A picture taken from the southern Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli artillery flares illuminating the Palestinian coastal enclave. — AFP file photo
A picture taken from the southern Israeli border with the Gaza Strip shows Israeli artillery flares illuminating the Palestinian coastal enclave. — AFP file photo

GAZA CITY: The Israeli military says it has agreed to a UN brokered five-hour pause in its strikes on the Gaza Strip to allow Palestinians to restock supplies.

The military said in a statement Wednesday that it would hold its fire for five hours starting at 10:00 am (0900 GMT, 5 a.m. EDT.)

It warns however that it will retaliate “firmly and decisively” if Hamas or other militant groups launch attacks on Israel during that time.


United Nations call for a unilateral humanitarian pause


The United Nations is calling for Israel to agree to “a unilateral humanitarian pause” so that aid can be delivered to people in need of food, water and other necessities in Gaza.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told the Associated Press earlier on Wednesday that Robert Serry, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, made the appeal after talks with Israel's Coordination Office for Government Affairs in the (Palestinian) Territories.

Obama pledges to restore ceasefire between Israel and Palestinians

If Israel agrees to a “humanitarian pause,” Haq said, Serry “would then urge the parties in Gaza to respect that pause. “

Haq said he was not aware of any time frame for the pause, adding that “the idea would be to allow for enough time as needed to get aid in. “

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...