At present the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has ruled out a ceasefire but may allow ‘little pauses’.
The Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, has come under fire from members of his own party for refusing to call for a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war, instead pushing for a humanitarian pause in the conflict. As a result, 50 Labour councillors have quit the party. The controversy raises the question of the difference between a humanitarian pause and a ceasefire.
Israel’s massive bombing campaign has unsurprisingly led to a disastrous humanitarian situation. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has described the situation in Gaza as a “godawful nightmare”. According to the UN, a humanitarian pause is defined as “a temporary cessation of hostilities purely for humanitarian purposes”. It is carried out for a certain period of time and in a specific geographic location.
Nonetheless, some argue that using a humanitarian pause to provide a temporary halt in the bombing of Gaza is not enough. In a report calling for a general ceasefire, Oxfam said its experience is that such pauses can even put civilians at a greater risk, as there is usually less clarity involved about safe zones and the duration of pauses.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hamas Israel: Israeli forces cut off north Gaza; Palestinian toll passes 10,000Troops are expected to enter Gaza City soon, Israeli media reported, initiating an even bloodier phase of the month-old war.
Read more »
Hamas Israel: Israel open to ‘little pauses’, bombing relentless for nowWhile Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the door open for aid deliveries, he ruled out any general cease-fire without the release of all hostages.
Read more »
Israel-Hamas war live: Israel may have ‘security responsibility’ for Gaza for indefinite period, says Netanyahu; Israel marks one month since Hamas attacksIsrael PM says presence would be needed in territory to prevention re-eruption of ‘Hamas terror’; mourners light candles to commemorate 1,400 victims of 7 October rampage
Read more »
'I prayed to die quickly': survivor returns to Israeli festival site where Hamas attackedLaura Kadar Blajman revisits the caravan where she hid for six hours while Hamas fighters attacked hundreds of Israelis at the Supernova music festival on 7 October
Read more »
‘Animalistic, barbaric’: Israeli President recalls ‘atrocious’ horrors committed by HamasIsraeli President Isaac Herzog discusses the horrifying scenes he witnessed during the “worst atrocity” the nation faced since the establishment of the state of Israel.
Read more »