Israel will suspend its aerial attacks on suspected Hamas targets in northern Gaza at the request of the United Nations, in order to allow humanitarian aid to get in to the embattled population.  The UN said it’s asking the same of the militant groups in Gaza.

The Israeli Defense Force said it would halt activity between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, local time.  But the IDF warned that if Hamas militants take advantage of the pause to launch more attacks, Israel would respond.  It’s not clear if the Gaza militants will stand down.

“Hamas has been informed about the UN proposal for a truce of several hours tomorrow,” said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.  “The proposal is being studied and when a decision has been taken it will be announced officially in a statement.”

At least 27 people were killed in Gaza on Wednesday, the ninth day of Israel’s airstrikes.  It brings the death toll to 222 – some were militants, but the vast majority were civilians.  More than 1,600 people in Gaza are injured.  Hospitals are running out of supplies, and the Red Cross says there are severe water shortages.  Tens of thousands of civilians fled their homes, forewarned by Israel that its bombardment would intensify.  Israeli military sources say a ground invasion is likely, and another few thousands reservists have been called up.

The last attempt at a ceasefire didn’t take hold.  Israel stopped, but the militant wing of Hamas kept shooting rockets at Israel.  Hamas’ political leadership said it was never formally informed of the ceasefire proposal from Egypt, and has informed Cairo that any agreement will have to make sure the Palestinians of Gaza get something other than dead civilians and wrecked houses.

“The initiative should include clear wording on fully lifting the blockade on Gaza, including opening all the crossings and releasing the rearrested prisoners from the (Gilad) Shalit deal in the West Bank,” said senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, referring to the 2011 Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap agreement.