Israel Announces Three Hour Daily Pause In Fighting So Gazans Can Buy Food, Supplies

Tel Aviv, Israel (AHN) - Amid increasing calls from the international community for Israel to stop punishing Palestinian civilians for Hamas militant rocket attacks, Israel has agreed to at least halt its military offensive for a few hours on a daily basis to allow civilians in the Gaza Strip to obtain vital supplies.

Israel announced Wednesday that it would halt its bombardment for three hours every day to allow Palestinians to obtain the vital supplies they need. Some civilians have been killed or injured by Israeli bombs while waiting in line to purchase bread, and this would allow people to go to stores without risking being killed.

That plan for a daily halt in military operations followed an earlier announcement from the Israeli military that it would open a "humanitarian corridor" to allow vital supplies into Gaza. But details of both plans remain sketchy.

Because of the Israeli blockade on Gaza, many Palestinians were already low on food before Israel began its military offensive on Dec. 27. But the situation has worsened. There are shortages of food, water and medicine in Gaza and many people lack electricity.

In the meantime, efforts continue to find a solution that would bring a ceasefire.

About 1.5 million people live in Gaza and because of the Israeli blockade they are not able to flee the fighting.

Some 660 Palestinians have been killed since Israel's military offensive began 12 days ago and most of those killed by Israel's aerial and ground attacks were civilians, including at least 100 women and children.

Israel says at least 130 of the Palestinians killed were Hamas militants and that three Israeli civilians and seven Israeli soldiers have been killed, including three Israeli soldiers who were killed by friendly fire.