CBNNews.com - GAZA STRIP - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops in the Gaza Strip will hold up operations for three hours Wednesday to allow residents time to restock essential provisions.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert first announced the plan Tuesday evening.

In a press release Wednesday, the outgoing prime minister said the UN Security Council suggested the "humanitarian corridor" whose purpose was "to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip."

Though hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to Gaza residents on a daily basis, the IDF incursion has further complicated civilian life.

Meanwhile, Israel's Security Council will meet Wednesday to decide whether to embark on phase three of the Gaza op, which includes thousands of reservists to reinforce ground troops, or whether to consider a French-backed Egyptian cease-fire initiative.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who expressed support for the Egyptian initiative, met with UN officials Tuesday night to work on a cease-fire resolution that also addresses Palestinian rocket attacks and arms smuggling.