The temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza is a relief, but it is only the beginning in addressing the immense humanitarian, psychological, and medical needs in Gaza. This cessation of fighting and bombing must be respected and long-term in order for Palestinians to begin to recover from the last 15 months of war and start to rebuild their lives.
The war has had horrific impacts
For Palestinians in Gaza, this ceasefire agreement arrives more than 465 days and 46,000 lives too late.
The toll of this brutal war includes the obliteration of homes, hospitals, and infrastructure, and the displacement of 1.9 million people who are heavily reliant on humanitarian aid and in desperate need of water, food, and shelter, especially in the cold winter.
The massive destruction of Gaza has caused pain and suffering for millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, while many families in Israel continue to desperately wait for the return of loved ones taken hostage on October 7, 2023.
