A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on Jan 5, 2024, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (PHOTO / AFP)

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military announced on Friday that "for humanitarian reasons" it will suspend military operations in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah City in the Gaza Strip from 10 am to 2 pm local time to facilitate supplies.

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Starting from Friday, the Salah al-Din Road, which runs from north to south in the Gaza Strip, will be closed, and the Rashid Road along the Mediterranean Sea will be open. From 9:00 am (0700 GMT) to 4:00 pm (1400 GMT) on Friday, residents in northern Gaza can walk or drive to the southern region.