‘No time to lose’ in Gaza, as ceasefire offers fragile respite
- 2025-02-13 12:00
Gaza City, Gaza Strip – A fragile ceasefire has taken hold in the Gaza Strip after three days of intense fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, but aid workers are warning that there is “no time to lose” in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
The ceasefire, which was brokered by Egypt, came into effect at 2am local time on Sunday, and has largely held since then. However, there have been sporadic reports of violence, and tensions remain high.
The fighting has left at least 44 Palestinians dead, including 15 children, and more than 300 injured. On the Israeli side, seven people have been killed, including a six-year-old boy.
The vast majority of the Palestinian casualties were caused by Israeli airstrikes, while the Israeli fatalities were caused by rockets fired from Gaza.
The violence has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure in Gaza, including homes, schools, and hospitals. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said that at least 1,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed, and that more than 100,000 people had been displaced.
Aid workers are now racing to provide assistance to the victims of the fighting. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that it had sent a team of 100 medical staff to Gaza to help treat the wounded. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that it was providing food, water, and other essential supplies to displaced families.
However, aid workers are warning that there is “no time to lose” in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The enclave has been under a strict Israeli blockade for more than a decade, which has crippled its economy and healthcare system.
“The situation in Gaza is dire,” said UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness. “People are living in fear, they are struggling to find food and water, and they are desperate for medical assistance. We need to act now to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.”
The ceasefire has provided a window of opportunity for aid workers to deliver assistance to Gaza, but it is unclear how long it will last. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is prepared to resume military operations if necessary.
“We will not hesitate to use force again if Hamas continues to fire rockets at Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, has said that it is committed to the ceasefire, but it has also warned that it will respond to any Israeli aggression.
“We will not allow the enemy to impose its conditions on us,” said Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum. “We will defend our people and our land with all our might.”
The international community has welcomed the ceasefire, but it has also called on both sides to show restraint and to work towards a lasting peace settlement.
“We urge both sides to seize this opportunity to end the violence and to create a more hopeful future for the people of Gaza,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
‘No time to lose’ in Gaza, as ceasefire offers fragile respite
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