Biden seeking three-day pause for Gaza, longer pause to get hostages out

US President Joe Biden has told reporters he has asked for a three-day pause in Gaza, and a pause much longer than that to get hostages being held by Hamas out.

Meanwhile, the armed wing of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad in Gaza is prepared to release two Israeli hostages, a woman and a boy, for humanitarian and medical reasons, a spokesperson for the al Quds Brigades has said in a recorded message.

The spokesperson added that the initiative would take place once appropriate measures are met.