Israel Open to “Little Pauses” in Gaza War, Says Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel would be open to considering “tactical little pauses” in the fighting in Gaza to allow for the entry of aid or the release of hostages. However, he firmly rejected calls for a general ceasefire, despite growing international pressure. Speaking in a US television interview, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would need to maintain security responsibility over the Palestinian enclave for an indefinite period after the war.
When asked about the possibility of humanitarian pauses in the fighting, a concept supported by the United States, Israel’s top ally, Netanyahu argued that a general ceasefire would hinder his country’s war efforts. He mentioned that while small pauses of an hour or so have occurred before, they would only be considered under specific circumstances to enable the delivery of humanitarian goods or the release of individual hostages.
Both Israel and Hamas, the group that controls Gaza, have rejected increasing international pressure for a ceasefire. Israel insists that hostages taken by Hamas during an attack in southern Israel on October 7 must be released first, while Hamas refuses to free them or halt fighting while Gaza is under assault.
Since the attack, in which Hamas killed 1,400 people in Israel and took more than 240 hostages, Israel has launched air strikes, imposed a siege, and initiated a ground assault on Gaza. The deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the enclave have sparked global concern.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 10,022 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,104 children, since the start of the conflict. The heads of several United Nations bodies, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Health Organization head, have called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, stating that “enough is enough.”
The United States has been pushing for pauses in the conflict to allow for the entry of aid. However, like Israel, it believes that Hamas would exploit a general ceasefire to regroup. President Joe Biden discussed potential pauses and hostage releases with Netanyahu, affirming his support for Israel while emphasizing the need to protect civilians.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for an urgent ceasefire, warning that Gaza is turning into a “graveyard for children.” He highlighted the impact of ground operations and continued bombardment on civilians and essential facilities, while also condemning Hamas and other militants for using civilians as human shields and launching rockets indiscriminately towards Israel.
The U.N. Security Council has held multiple closed-door meetings in an attempt to reach a resolution but has been unable to agree on calling for a ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, or humanitarian pauses to allow for aid access in Gaza.
When asked about the future governance of Gaza after the conflict ends, Netanyahu stated that Israel would likely retain overall security responsibility, citing past experiences when Israel did not have that responsibility.
The Biden administration has informed the U.S. Congress of its plan to transfer $320 million worth of precision bombs to Israel in support of its military efforts.
In response to rocket attacks from Lebanon, Israel has also targeted Hezbollah positions in that country. The Iran-backed Hezbollah has engaged in fighting with Israeli forces along the Lebanese-Israeli border, marking the most intense conflict since the 2006 war between the two sides.
(Note: This article is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
