Israel-Gaza: U.S. Says New Humanitarian Pauses Secured, As Death Toll Rises

Washington D.C./10.11.23/Turan:  The Biden administration on Thursday announced new pauses in fighting in Gaza which comes after the U.S. pushed Israel to support civilians amid its war with Hamas, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Speaking to reporters, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby announced that the four-hour pauses have begun and Israel will announce each humanitarian pause at least three hours in advance.

Kirby said the pauses could also help to secure the release of the some 240 hostages, including Americans, held by Hamas: "We believe these pauses are a step in the right direction, particularly to help ensure that civilians have an opportunity to reach safer areas away from the act of fighting."

Meanwhile, a senior Biden administration official told the Congress on Thursday that the death toll of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is likely far higher than the 10,000 number being reported by Hamas-controlled health ministry.

“I can’t stipulate to one figure or another, it’s very possible they’re even higher than is being reported", Barbara Leaf, assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, said.

When asked by TURAN's correspondent whether it was the State Department's final assessment on the death toll, Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, he had "no reason to dispute" what Assistant Secretary Leaf said.

"We take issue with any of these numbers being above zero.  One civilian life lost is too much.  One civilian life lost is going too far," Patel said.

He added:  "And that is why we are taking steps to ensure, in close coordination with our Israeli partners, that conditions can be created to minimize civilian casualties.  The humanitarian pauses announced earlier this morning are a welcome step in that direction."

Alex Raufoglu