GAZA CITY, Gaza (AP) — Israel was set to pause its Gaza offensive for three hours today to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country’s leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or to expand the assault against Hamas.

With criticism rising of the operation’s spiraling civilian death toll and Gazans increasingly suffering the effects of nonstop airstrikes and shelling, Israel’s military said it would open “humanitarian corridors” to allow aid supplies to reach Palestinians.

Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner said there would be a “recess in offensive operations” during the day to allow in supplies and fuel. Government officials said the lull would last from 1 to 4 p.m. local time. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan had not been officially announced.

As Israel’s leadership met in the morning in Tel Aviv, sounds of heavy gunfire and thick plumes of smoke engulfed the Zeitoun neighborhood east of Gaza City. Israel said it struck 40 Hamas targets during the hours of darkness. Gaza health officials said new strikes this morning killed eight people.