No Ceasefire…Allowing Temporary Halt of Combat at Specific Times for Civilian Evacuation
The Israeli military has reported that Hamas is losing control of the Gaza Strip as tens of thousands of Palestinians migrate south.
According to the Financial Times (FT) on the 8th (local time), the senior spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hagari, stated, “We have confirmed that 50,000 residents of the Gaza Strip have moved from the north to the south,” and “This is because Hamas has lost control in the north, and they know that there are safer areas in the south.”
In the northern Gaza City, effectively controlled by Hamas, citizens are hastily seeking refuge due to the invasion of the Israeli military. The UN reported that just the day before, 15,000 citizens had fled from the north of Gaza. Israel has temporarily allowed highway traffic for four hours daily for civilian evacuation.
Lt. Col. Hagari stated, “There is no ceasefire,” but explained, “We have been allowing a temporary halt of combat at specific times for humanitarian reasons to minimize civilian casualties and allow residents to move south.”
Meanwhile, Qatar is mediating hostage release negotiations in the Gaza Strip, with the condition of a temporary halt to combat. Specifically, discussions are underway for Hamas to release 10-15 hostages in exchange for Israel halting attacks on the Gaza Strip for 1-2 days. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown a negative attitude towards a halt in combat, citing a lack of trust in Hamas.
By. Byeon Hyo Sun
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