After weeks of intense negotiations in Qatar, officials have announced a historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal, set to take effect on Sunday, January 19, marks a pivotal moment in the conflict that has devastated Gaza for over a year.
The ceasefire includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of hostages by Hamas, and the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Catherine Russell, executive director of UNICEF, described the ceasefire as “long overdue for the children and families of Gaza who have endured more than a year of bombardment and deprivation; for these civilians, the ceasefire is a glimmer of hope’’.
Still, humanitarian organizations stress that the real challenge lies in addressing the immense humanitarian needs accumulated during the conflict.
The urgent need for humanitarian aid amid ongoing ceasefire in Gaza negotiations
Despite the ceasefire, Gaza remains in critical condition, with less than half of its 36 hospitals operational, water production operating at only 25% capacity, and 95% of its schools damaged or destroyed; the scale of destruction is staggering. UNICEF and other organizations emphasize the urgent need for humanitarian aid to provide food, medical supplies, clean water, and essential psychosocial support.
UNICEF’s Russell stated, “The ceasefire must, finally, afford humanitarian actors the opportunity to safely roll out the massive response inside the Gaza Strip that is so desperately needed.” She highlighted the importance of unimpeded access to aid delivery and the resumption of commercial trucking operations to stabilize Gaza’s fragile infrastructure.
Halima Begum, CEO of Oxfam GB, also expressed concern, highlighting the systematic deprivation of Gaza’s residents of necessities like food and water. “With all of Gaza at risk of famine, one of the key priorities must be the immediate and unrestricted flow of life-saving aid to reach those in need,” she said.
Begum called attention to the fact that food and water have been used “as weapons of war,” intensifying the suffering of civilians. Humanitarian medical NGO UK-Med echoed this sentiment; its CEO, David Wightwick, called for a significant increase in humanitarian aid alongside the ceasefire.
“The cessation of hostilities is a critical step toward alleviating the immense suffering of civilians caught in the conflict. However, the ceasefire alone is not enough,” Wightwick stated.
Christian Aid’s William Bell urged world leaders to address the conflict’s deeper causes. While welcoming the ceasefire, Bell stated, “Hope for the future will only come with accountability for the past; the past year has seen a blatant disregard of international law, a danger to civilians everywhere.”
Rose Caldwell, CEO of Plan International UK, highlighted the devastating toll on Gaza’s children. “The youngest will never have known life without hunger, fear, and destruction; leaders must use this opportunity to push for a permanent ceasefire combined with a massive influx of humanitarian aid,” she said.
Hope for Gaza’s future beyond the ceasefire
As Gaza takes its first steps toward recovery, humanitarian organizations are gearing up to provide critical aid. UNICEF and partners are ready to scale up efforts to deliver life-saving resources and rebuild essential services, including schools and hospitals.
The ceasefire may offer a chance for stability, but achieving lasting peace and prosperity requires sustained international support and accountability.