Humanitarian aid (Archives)
Photo: AP
IDF: Gaza to see noontime pause in fighting
Air Force, ground troops said to hold fire for few hours in order to allow Gazans to stock up on provisions; pause to elapse if looming rocket threat detected
Day 12 of Operation Cast Lead has the Israeli Navy, Air Force and ground troops involved in various strikes on terror hubs in Gaza, but according to Arab media reports, Israel is expected to hold its fire for several hours around noontime Wednesday in favor of a "humanitarian pause."
IDF source confirmed the information, saying the noontime pause is meant to allow the Strip's residents to stock up on essential provisions and get from place to place if need be.
Both the IAF and ground forces are expected to hold their fire for several hours, unless the forces detect imminent rocket threat.
Tuesday night saw Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announce that Israel will allow for a "humanitarian corridor" in Gaza.
The Prime Minister's Office statement noted that since the Gaza offensive began, hundreds of tons of equipment, supplies and food have been let into the Strip, although the fighting is making it hard for the deliveries to reach civilian population.
Roee Nahmias contributed to this report
