Ceasefire leads to urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza
- Humanitarian groups report that the ceasefire allows for potential aid to flood into Gaza after months of severe restrictions.
- Previously, the conflict had resulted in a dramatic decrease in aid supply, with only 40 to 50 trucks entering per day instead of the usual hundreds.
- If the ceasefire continues, organizations hope for improved conditions to provide essential aid and medical supplies in Gaza.
In Gaza, humanitarian aid organizations are voicing hope following an agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was announced on October 1, 2025. This comes after a devastating 11-week halt of all humanitarian aid due to previous conflicts, exacerbating the dire conditions on the ground. As of early October, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 151 children have died from acute malnutrition, highlighting the critical need for food and medical supplies. Aid has been severely limited since Israel broke an earlier ceasefire in March 2025, which left many aid trucks stranded at the borders. Before these conflicts, there were approximately 500 to 600 trucks entering Gaza each day to provide essential resources such as food, medicine, and supplies. Currently, that number has dwindled to 40 to 50 trucks per day, with many days seeing no trucks allowed to enter. Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice president of global policy and advocacy for Mercy Corps, pointed out that they have over 70 truckloads of assistance waiting at the border, and an effort to reopen the borders for trucks will be crucial for providing much-needed aid. Medical supplies are also in high demand post-conflict, with the World Health Organization indicating that only 36 hospitals were functioning in Gaza before the war escalated. Aid workers are expressing optimism that the ceasefire will create safer conditions for bringing necessary supplies into Gaza, allowing health facilities to reopen even in temporary arrangements. Belliveau from MedGlobal emphasized the importance of reinstating medical services and addressing the urgent healthcare needs across the region, particularly in central and northern Gaza, where services have been drastically limited. As the ceasefire opens a window for potential aid introduction, humanitarian organizations reiterate the crucial requirement for a steady influx of supplies to meet the chronic needs of the population. Médecins Sans Frontières has acknowledged the relief the ceasefire brings but asserts that many needs remain unaddressed due to the prolonged violence, indicating a cautious optimism among aid organizations. The international response and commitments to aid will be pivotal in determining the level of humanitarian assistance made available to the suffering population in Gaza moving forward.