WASHINGTON: The US State Department announced on Thursday that there will be two humanitarian corridors permitting people to flee parts of hostilities in northern Gaza, saying that it is critical humanitarian supplies and help be expanded in the region where people of Gaza are moving.
The US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said that the Rafah crossing on Thursday was open for aid and relief trucks to enter the Gaza Strip and foreign citizens to depart.
Similarly, the White House confirmed Israel agreed to put in place four-hour humanitarian pauses daily in its strike on northern Gaza starting on Thursday. US President Joe Biden had asked Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make arrangements for the daily pauses during a Monday telephone call.
Humanitarian Corridors in Gaza
According to US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby the Israelis had made a commitment to announcing four-hour pause daily at least three hours in advance in Gaza. US President Biden also the media persons that he had asked the Israel for a “pause more than three days” during talks over the release of several hostages held by Hamas, though he also ruled out the chances of a general truce.
Earlier, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel that it risked destroying an ultimate option for peace unless it acted quickly to improve humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip for Palestinians it intensifies its war on Gaza.
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In a call for Israel to pause military offensive in the Gaza Strip to allow for the urgent and increased delivery of help, the US top diplomat said the situation would drive Palestinian people toward further extremism and effectively end prospects for any ultimate resumption of peace dialogue to end the crisis.
Similarly, French President Emmanuel Macron has also opened a conference on Gaza and asked Israel to protect civilian population in the Strip.
