“We support this transition and stand ready to expand the provision of ongoing humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” the UN secretary-general said in a social media post.
“It is essential that this ceasefire removes serious security and political obstacles to providing aid,” he added.
According to news reports, with the first phase of the ceasefire agreement taking effect, three Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released by the Red Cross and transferred to Israel. Israel is expected to release about 90 Palestinian prisoners late Sunday, according to reports.
The three-stage ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States last week came 15 months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. About 1,200 people were killed, 250 were taken hostage, and about 100 remain in captivity.
Israel launched a military operation following a Hamas-led attack on its territory.
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 46,000 Palestinians have died since the civil war began.
The Gaza Strip has since been devastated and its two million residents are in dire need of food and other necessities.
The UN welcomed the ceasefire and the implementation of the first phase as an important step towards peace and alleviating the enormous suffering suffered by the Palestinian people.
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Shadi Jomaa Abu Sheha lies inside the remains of his home north of Nuseirat, Gaza Strip.
What’s left of ‘home’
In the early morning hours after the ceasefire went into effect, many Palestinian refugees gradually began returning to see what was left of their homes.
Shadi Jumaa Abu Sheha has returned to Nuseirat in central Gaza, but the house he built, mostly with his own hands, “is no longer a home, it is a ruin.”
he is united nations news As our correspondent in Gaza assessed the extent of the damage, some rooms were left in ruins and the interiors were now open to the weather.
Nonetheless, Shadi was relieved that “the bloodshed had stopped,” he told a correspondent. “It’s a feeling that can’t be expressed in words. Fortunately, we survived this war unscathed. But it cannot explain the extent of the destruction. “I don’t know what to say.”
The need for safe humanitarian access
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) acted quickly, entering the Gaza Strip early Sunday morning from Egypt via Ashdod, Israel.
The ceasefire allows the agency to bring in urgently needed food supplies on an unprecedented scale to prevent starvation in the war-torn region, the agency said in a news release.
WFP Director-General Cindy McCain emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying the agency’s goal is to deliver at least 150 truckloads of food to Gaza every day.
“After 15 months of war, it is necessary for all border crossings to remain open and operate efficiently, effectively and reliably. And we need humanitarian teams that can move freely and safely across Gaza to reach people in need.”
future health problems
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed support for the ceasefire and highlighted the enormous health challenges ahead.
This conflict has caused enormous damage. More than 46,600 people have died, more than 110,000 have been injured and the health care system has been thrown into chaos, the agency said in a news release.
WHO called for unwavering commitment from donors and the international community, highlighting the urgent need for billions of dollars in investment to restore health infrastructure.
The UN health agency and its partners plan to implement a 60-day plan focusing on trauma and emergency care, primary health care, child health and other critical areas.
“WHO urges all parties to keep their commitments to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and to continue working towards a political solution to resolve the long-term crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which is essential for lasting peace.” The agency said.
Focus on women and girls
UN Women also welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement and expressed hope that all parties would honor their commitments to pave the way for lasting peace for women and girls in Palestine, Israel and the region.
“News of the ceasefire brings relief to the one million women and girls who have been living without a safe haven in the Gaza Strip for the past 470 days amid continuous bombardment,” the organization said in a statement.
The agency emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian relief and reaffirmed its commitment to work with women’s groups and families in Gaza to support comprehensive recovery efforts and advocate for their rights, safety, and dignity.
UN Women said these efforts have made important progress but the road to recovery remains difficult and urged all parties to maintain the ceasefire and promote safe and efficient aid delivery.
