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.

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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. “