White House says Israel agrees to 4-hour daily pauses in North Gaza fighting to allow civilians to flee

Israel agrees to four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in Gaza assault from November 9; U.S. President Joe Biden secures second pathway for civilians to flee fighting. U.S. warns Israel of destroying peace prospects unless it improves humanitarian conditions.

The White House said Israel has agreed to put in place four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its assault on Hamas in northern Gaza starting on November 9, as the Biden administration said it has secured a second pathway for civilians to flee fighting.

President Joe Biden had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to institute the daily pauses during a November 6 call.

Follow live updates from the Israel-Hamas war on November 09, 2023

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the first humanitarian pause would be announced on November 9 and that the Israelis had committed to announcing each four-hour window at least three hours in advance.

Mr. Biden also told reporters that he had asked the Israelis for a “pause longer than three days” during negotiations over the release of some hostages held by Hamas, though he ruled out the chances of a general cease-fire.

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