There will be “tactical pauses for humanitarian pauses” to allow civilians in the Gaza Strip to replenish stocks such as food and water, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has said.
COGAT, a unit in the Israeli defence ministry, said the pause is taking place in Deir al-Balah from 10am-2pm.
On Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution that calls for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not for a ceasefire.
Pope condemns ‘the futile logic of war’
The Pope used his sermon at Midnight Mass to offer his solidarity with people in the Middle East – and condemn the “futile logic of war”.
Francis, 87, told 6,500 people inside St Peter’s Basilica: “Our hearts are in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace is once more rejected by the futile logic of war”.
He added that the “clash of arms today” prevents Jesus from “finding room in the world”.
In Bethlehem itself, Mass was held by Palestinian Christians who reflected on the war around them in Israel and Gaza.
The traditional Nativity scene in Manger Square was also surrounded by rubble and barbed wire.
Leave a Reply