THE ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel marks a rare moment of hope after more than 15 months of “unprecedented and relentless atrocities”, said aid relief organisations.
The deal must now enable humanitarian and aid access to the entire strip and must be respected by all parties in order for some stability to be established for the Palestinian people.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa, who have been “effectively barred” from North Gaza, and said they urgently needed to access this part of the strip in order to ensure that the approximately 175 000 people there can access urgently needed healthcare.
Humanitarian organisations on Thursday said the situation on the ground in Gaza remained “catastrophic”, despite the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in place, as further strikes had still taken place.
Negotiators reached a phased ceasefire deal on Wednesday in the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire accord emerged after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. to stop the war that has devastated the coastal territory and inflamed the Middle East.
Humanitarian organisations said an agreed ceasefire was only the start of a long journey and they urgently needed a massive scale-up of aid as the situation on the ground remained dire.
MSF Southern Africa head of operational support, Claire Waterhouse said: “MSF welcomes the news of a ceasefire, and we hope to see it respected adequately from its date of enforcement. Any ceasefire agreed to now should be sustained and permanent, enabling badly needed aid to be massively scaled up in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is untenable, and more access to supplies is urgently needed. A ceasefire is only the start of a long journey in addressing the immense humanitarian, psychological and medical needs in Gaza.”
The war had decimated everything that makes “a normal life in Gaza possible”, she said.
“Of primary concern to MSF is the almost total destruction of healthcare facilities and, thus, the healthcare system, making it extremely difficult for people in Gaza to access effective care, whether it be for wounds as a result of the war or for chronic pre-existing conditions.
“There is not enough food or water for people in Gaza, and many have been forcibly displaced and are living in extremely dire conditions, under constant fear of being bombed. Just last week, we raised concerns about babies who are at risk as the winter approaches. Babies face immediate and extreme challenges: displaced in the cold of winter, without adequate access to warmth, shelter, or healthcare,” said Waterhouse.
Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman said they had trucks waiting on the border ready to help.
“Two-hundred medical personnel and 30 psychologists are on standby to intervene at the appropriate time. They say that trucks have been going in since Saturday in greater numbers but we are not sure what's happening inside and whether it reaches the people with the continued bombing,” Sooliman said.
Islamic Relief said the news of an agreement between Hamas and Israel was a rare moment of hope after more than 15 months of “unprecedented and relentless atrocities”. However, the big test will be what happens next, whether it is adhered to, and whether a temporary pause becomes permanent, said the organisation.
“Lasting peace will not be possible without an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. We have witnessed unimaginable destruction that has left the Gaza Strip in ruins, killed tens of thousands of people, and left even more with life-changing wounds. International law has been trampled over with complete impunity as Israel has targeted hospitals, schools and shelters, forcibly relocated families, and cruelly blocked humanitarian aid from reaching survivors – killing babies from malnutrition and hypothermia.
“Even as negotiations entered the final stage, and after the announcement that an agreement had been reached, dozens more Palestinians were killed as Israeli bombs continued to rain down on shelters and homes. We pray this stops now.”
The organisation said previous promises to allow more aid in over the past year have been immediately broken.
“All restrictions on humanitarian access must now be lifted, and the international community must hold Israel accountable if aid continues to be blocked. This agreement must lead to a lasting peace, with justice and accountability for the horrors perpetrated against civilians. We want to see a lasting peace where all people can live in safety and dignity, and have their fundamental human rights upheld.”
Palestine Solidarity Campaign's Professor Usuf Chikte said there were concerns about the slow pace of reconstruction efforts and the continued restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza.
“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is far from over, and it will take significant efforts to rebuild and recover. While there is a flicker of hope that the agreement is expected to bring some immediate relief to Palestinians, many questions remain unanswered such as the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) essential in the provision of aid and relief, the safe return to their homes in the face of the destruction that has taken place.
“One thing that's clear is that the genocide in Gaza has marked a significant shift in the Israel-Palestine.”
Additional reporting by Reuters
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