UN special rapporteur calls pause in Gaza battle 'cruel'

A UN special rapporteur has called a pause in Gaza fighting "cruel."

Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory, spoke on Friday after the United States announced Israel has agreed to stop military operations for 4 hours a day.

Albanese said the pause lets people breathe and remember the sound of life without bombing before it starts again, and that this is "cynical and cruel."

She argued that the US is protecting Israel despite there being a risk of genocide against the Palestinian people.

She noted that there is an acceptance that the Palestinians have to be evacuated to Egypt, and that this could become forcible transfer, which would be a violation of international law.

Albanese said she is disappointed with the international community, particularly the West.