A glimmer of hope emerges for the starving people of Gaza as a fragile ceasefire takes hold. Aid agencies are gearing up for a massive relief effort, aiming to provide essential aid and combat the devastating famine that has gripped the region.
Tess Ingram, a spokesperson for Unicef, the UN agency for children, shared her concerns: "The stakes are incredibly high. Even with the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis persists. We must act swiftly to address the famine and prevent the spread of diseases."
Unicef is calling for the reopening of all crossings from Israel into Gaza, ensuring smooth and unhindered movement of aid trucks. Another UN agency, Unrwa, has stockpiled enough food to feed every Palestinian in Gaza for three months, emphasizing the critical nature of aid distribution.
Tens of thousands of tonnes of supplies are strategically positioned in neighboring countries like Jordan and Egypt, ready to be delivered to Gaza. Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal, aid is expected to surge into the region, with humanitarian groups preparing to send approximately 600 truckloads of food and medical supplies daily.
During the war, Israel's blockade of entry and exit routes severely restricted the flow of food and medicine, leading to a famine in large parts of Gaza. Aid agencies now hope that Israel will adhere to Trump's 20-point plan, which emphasizes the importance of allowing aid entry and distribution without interference.
The Italian defense minister announced on Saturday that the Rafah crossing, a vital gateway between Gaza and Egypt, will reopen on Tuesday. This crossing is crucial for the movement of aid trucks and people, and its reopening is a positive step towards facilitating aid delivery.
With the UN resuming its lead role in humanitarian assistance, the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private contractor scheme backed by the US and Israel, appears to be scaling back its operations. The program faced widespread condemnation due to its association with deadly shootings at food distribution sites by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The truce offers a chance to alleviate the famine, secure the release of detained individuals, and put an end to the daily Israeli bombings that have devastated families. On Friday, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians began their journey back to the ruins of their homes in Gaza City, as Israeli troops withdrew to new positions.
According to Gaza's civil defense agency, more than 500,000 people have returned to Gaza City since the ceasefire. However, concerns remain that the deal may falter unless sustained pressure is maintained.
Previous ceasefires have failed, and an Israeli attack on Lebanon early on Saturday raised fears of renewed violence during this tense period. The pre-dawn airstrikes targeted a building selling construction vehicles, resulting in one fatality and seven injuries, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry.
Israel's military claimed the strike was aimed at machinery stored for use by the militant group Hezbollah to rebuild infrastructure. The US-led agreement this week aims to end the current war in stages, postponing complex issues like the disarmament of Hamas and a clause committing Israel to "not occupy" Gaza.
Under the agreement, Hamas is obligated to release all Israeli hostages from Gaza within 72 hours of the ceasefire's commencement, which falls on Monday morning. In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving long sentences and 1,700 others captured during the war and held without charge.
Israel's prison service has already begun transferring prisoners to two jails ahead of their release. Notably, a list published by the Israeli government's official website on Friday excluded several high-profile Palestinian prisoners, including the popular politician Marwan Barghouti.
Supporters of Barghouti, aged 66, believe Israel fears his ability to bring about effective change and unify Palestinians, many of whom view him as a Nelson Mandela-style leader. Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, stated that the group insists on the release of Barghouti and other prominent figures and is in discussions with mediators.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches with cautious optimism, hoping that this ceasefire will bring much-needed relief and a chance for peace and reconstruction in Gaza.
