The agencies also urging the immediate release of all hostages.
“There is a very positive, jubilant mood in Gaza this morning,” said Olga Cherevko from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Speaking from the devastated territory, she highlighted that urgent priorities remain reaching the most vulnerable with food, medicine, and shelter, even as peace remains the ultimate goal.
UN humanitarians have approximately 170 000 metric tons of aid stockpiled outside Gaza, ready to be dispatched once a ceasefire is confirmed. Cherevko emphasised, “No amount of humanitarian aid will ever take the place of peace. So, this deal is more important than ever.”
The development follows the announcement by United States (US) President Donald Trump that Israel and Hamas had signed off on the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, following days of indirect negotiations in Egypt involving US, Qatari, and Turkish mediators. The deal reportedly includes the release of hostages still held in Gaza, around 48 individuals, of whom 20 are believed to be alive, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an agreed line.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “great day for Israel,” ahead of a security cabinet meeting to approve the initial phase, including an immediate ceasefire.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the announcement, noting that the agreement could pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and the safe return of hostages. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher echoed this sentiment, urging urgent action, “Get the hostages out and surge aid in, fast. Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives. They need safe access.”
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, described the deal as a “huge relief” for those affected by the two-year conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of Gazans and nearly 1 200 Israelis. “After their excruciating ordeal, hostages and Palestinian detainees will finally join their families,” he said.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the ongoing health crisis, emphasising that the agency “stands ready to scale up its work to support rehabilitation of the destroyed health system.” Similarly, World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain stressed the urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian access, calling on all parties to “move NOW” to deliver life-saving aid.
The agreement, if implemented, marks a critical step towards ending hostilities and addressing the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, though UN officials cautioned that rapid action and safe access remain essential.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
