Efforts to pause fighting gain steam as Israeli troops push towards Gaza City

Israeli ground forces have been operating in Gaza in recent days (Israel Defence Forces via AP)

Israel’s ground troops have advanced towards Gaza City, as the US and Arab countries intensified diplomatic efforts to ease the siege of the Hamas-ruled enclave and bring about at least a brief stop to the fighting to help civilians.

President Joe Biden suggested a humanitarian “pause” on Wednesday, as hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded Palestinians were allowed out of Gaza for the first time, leaving via Egypt’s Rafah crossing.