Gaza

Israel is prepared to introduce a new humanitarian pause in fighting and send more aid to the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages, according to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a statement from the presidential office. “The responsibility lies squarely with (Ed: Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar and the Hamas leadership,” Herzog said. But a senior Hamas representative refused to negotiate with Israel as long as the war continues. “We categorically reject any form of negotiation of prisoner exchanges during the continuing Israeli genocide,” Hamas representative Baseen Naem said. “However, we are open to any initiative that contributes to stopping the aggression against our people and opening the border crossings to bring in relief and give relief to the Palestinian people,” he said.  /ritzau/Reuters/