Israeli President, Isaac Herzog has given an indication that his country is ready for another humanitarian pause.
According to his office, Herzog, whose public role is largely ceremonial, made the remarks at a gathering of ambassadors.
Herzog briefed the envoys on the war in Gaza, placing an emphasis on Israel’s humanitarian effort, his office said, urging international organizations to do more to facilitate the delivery of assistance to Gaza.
“The amount of humanitarian aid can be tripled instantaneously,” Herzog was quoted as saying.
“You can triple the amount of trucks easily if there was only an effort by the United Nations and its partners. The world has to know that you could have had tens of thousands of tons a day more going into Gaza,” Herzog added.
“The President noted that Israel was not in a war with the Palestinian people, but was fighting its enemy the terrorist organization Hamas,” the office readout revealed.
“I can reiterate the fact that Israel is ready for another humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian aid in order to enable the release of hostages. And the responsibility lies fully with [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and the leadership of Hamas.”
Isaac Herzog
The seven-day pause was observed between the Israeli army and Hamas last month.
Meanwhile, Basem Naim, a senior official from Hamas, said in a statement that Hamas rejects holding negotiations over exchanging prisoners during the Israeli war, but the group was open to any initiative to end the war.
“We affirm our position of categorically rejecting to hold any form of negotiations over prisoners exchange under the continuing Israeli genocidal war,” he said.
“We are, however, open to any initiative that contributes to ending the aggression on our people and opening the crossings to bring in aid and provide relief to the Palestinian people,” he added.
Also on Tuesday, Pope Francis called for prayers and “tangible aid” for the devastated Gaza Strip as the war rages on.
“For the inhabitants of the Holy Land, a Christmas of pain and mourning looms. We do not want to leave them alone. May we stand by them in prayer and tangible aid,” Francis noted on X.
The Pope has called several times for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all captives taken by Hamas.
FPA Files Petition With Israeli Supreme Court
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem filed a petition with the Israeli supreme court seeking immediate access for international media to the Gaza Strip.
The FPA said it had submitted multiple requests to the Israeli government and military to gain access but had received “no substantive response”.
The Palestinian territory has been completely sealed off since 7 October.
Prior to October 7, reporters with an Israeli-issued press card could enter Gaza and apply for an additional reporting permit from Hamas, which runs the enclave.
“Freedom of the press is a basic civil right in a democratic society,” the FPA said in a statement.
We also believe it is in the public interest to get a fuller picture of conditions inside Gaza after 10 weeks of extremely limited and highly controlled access.
Foreign Press Association
Several Israeli and international reporters have entered Gaza embedded with the Israeli military, but the association called this “limited access” and said it did not allow “access to areas where soldiers are not present.”
“We are aware of the unique security challenges posed by the current war, and any members entering Gaza would have to take these risks into account,” the statement said.
“But the Israeli government’s recent agreement to allow aid to enter Gaza directly from Israel shows that such obstacles can be overcome,” it added.
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