Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will request that the Israeli government agrees to temporary cessations of military operations in Gaza to facilitate the safe release of hostages and the distribution of humanitarian aid, according to White House officials. This request comes after President Biden revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously agreed to a brief halt in shelling to allow for the release of two American hostages. The aim of these “humanitarian pauses” is to protect civilians in Gaza while hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas continue. The United States is committed to protecting civilians and ensuring that aid reaches those in need. The request for pauses differs from a comprehensive cease-fire, as the Biden administration believes this would benefit Hamas. However, Biden faces increasing pressure to respond as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. The United States will work with Israel to negotiate these pauses in order to protect civilians, deliver aid, and secure the release of any remaining hostages.