US to push Israel to PAUSE strikes on Gaza so hostages can get out and aid and ... trends now
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The White House is preparing to push Israel for a lull in its military operations so that civilians can leave Gaza and aid can go in.
Almost four weeks after Israel sealed off the Palestinian enclave in response to Hamas terrorists killing 1400 people, calls are growing for a full ceasefire or at least a 'humanitarian pause' to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, told reporters Thursday that any such temporary cessation would not affect Israel's ability to defend itself.
'What we're trying to do is explore the idea of as many pauses as might be necessary to continue to get aid out and to continue to work to get people out safely, including hostages,' he said during the White House daily briefing.
He spoke soon after President Joe Biden announced that dozens of American citizens had been able to flee the Gaza Strip.
National security spokesman John Kirby said Thursday the White House was exploring ways that humanitarian pauses could be used to get aid in and hostages out
'74 U.S. citizens with dual citizenship have left the Gaza Strip,' he said.
Israel faces escalating international criticism for the growing death toll in Gaza.
At the same time, aid agencies say humanitarian assistance being trucked in from Egypt is insufficient.
American officials have rejected calls for a ceasefire, saying it would only let Hamas off the hook, and insisting they would not tell Israel how to wage its war.
But Biden himself added his voice to demands for a
