NATO chief Stoltenberg welcomes extension of humanitarian pause between Israel, Hamas

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – The NATO chief has welcomed Monday’s two-day extension of the humanitarian pause between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

"I welcome the extension of the pause in the hostilities in Gaza," Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters Tuesday ahead of a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers in Brussels.

"This has allowed for much-needed relief for the people in Gaza and also the release of more hostages and also the delivery of more humanitarian aid," he added, referring to a tight Israeli blockade since Oct. 7, which only allowed a trickle of aid into the enclave.

Qatar announced an agreement late Monday on extending a four-day humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas in Gaza for an additional two days, under which further prisoner exchanges will be carried out.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed more than 15,000 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and more than 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.