Israel agrees to humanitarian cease-fire of five hours for Gaza

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Israeli military agreed to a humanitarian cease-fire to allow civilians in Gaza to resupply their households with basic necessities.

The cease-fire will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday  and last for five hours, the Israel Defense Forces announced Wednesday evening. During the cease-fire, the IDF said in a statement that it “will cease operational activity within the Gaza Strip and hold its fire.”

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, or COGAT, and representatives of the United Nations brokered the humanitarian truce on Wednesday.

“Should the humanitarian window be exploited by Hamas or other terror organizations for the purpose of launching attacks against Israeli civilian or military targets, the IDF will respond firmly and decisively,” the IDF said.

Also Wednesday, Israel’s Cabinet approved the call-up of 8,000 more reservists, in addition to the 48,000 that already have been called up, to assist in the Gaza operation dubbed Protective Edge.