Four Israeli hostages, all women soldiers, were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, marking the second such exchange since the truce began. The soldiers—Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. They were reunited with thier families at an Israeli military base near the Gaza border after being transported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The handover took place amid a large crowd of Palestinians, with the hostages led onto a podium surrounded by armed Hamas fighters. They waved and smiled before entering ICRC vehicles. One of the soldiers had reportedly been held by Islamic Jihad, according to a Palestinian source.
This exchange follows the release of three Israeli civilians in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners last sunday. The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. backing, has temporarily halted the 15-month-long conflict.In the first phase of the deal, Hamas agreed to release 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, in exchange for hundreds of palestinian prisoners.Israeli troops will also withdraw from some positions in Gaza.
The conflict began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages during their October 7 attack. As then, over 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities. Israel estimates that 94 hostages remain in Gaza, though their status is unclear.
In a related advancement, Israel has demanded that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) cease operations in Jerusalem by January 30, following controversial legislation passed by Israeli lawmakers.
| Key Details | information |
|————————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Hostages Released | 4 israeli women soldiers |
| Prisoners exchanged | Undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners |
| Ceasefire Brokers | Qatar, Egypt, and the United States |
| Conflict Duration | 15 months |
| Hostages Remaining in Gaza | 94 (status unclear) |
| UNRWA Deadline in Jerusalem | January 30, 2025 |
The ceasefire has brought a fragile pause to the violence, but the road to lasting peace remains uncertain. As negotiations continue, the world watches closely, hoping for an end to the suffering on both sides.
UNRWA Faces Operational Challenges Amid Gaza Ceasefire and Aid Delivery Drop
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) continues to face significant operational hurdles in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, even as it remains a critical lifeline for millions of Palestinians. The agency, which provides essential services such as education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, has been under increasing scrutiny from Israel, especially since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Israel’s Criticism and Restrictions on UNRWA
Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity in the October 7, 2023, attacks, alleging that a dozen of its employees were involved. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon demanded that UNRWA “cease its operations in Jerusalem and evacuate all premises in which it operates in the city, no later than 30 January 2025.”
Despite these tensions, Israel’s parliament has not banned UNRWA from operating in Gaza or the West Bank. Though, a law prohibiting contact between Israeli officials and the agency has further intricate its operations. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Having no bureaucratic or operational relation with Israel makes your operational surroundings even more challenging.”
Aid Delivery to Gaza: A Sharp Decline
Since the ceasefire began, over 4,200 aid trucks have entered gaza, according to the UN. However, there has been a significant drop in the number of deliveries. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 339 aid trucks crossed into Gaza on a recent day, compared to 630 on Sunday, 915 on Monday, and 897 on Tuesday.The ceasefire agreement stipulates that at least 600 truckloads of aid, including 50 carrying fuel, must enter Gaza daily during the initial six-week truce. Half of these trucks are designated for Gaza’s north, where experts warn of an imminent famine.
When questioned about the decline, OCHA spokesperson Eri Kaneko explained that the UN and its partners “have been working as quickly as possible to dispatch and distribute this large volume of assistance” to approximately 2.1 million people in the devastated enclave.
Aid Distribution Challenges
The influx of aid this week contrasts sharply with the 2,892 aid trucks that entered Gaza throughout December, as reported by UNRWA. Aid is typically dropped off on the Gaza side of the border, where it is indeed picked up by the UN for distribution. OCHA data shows that 2,230 aid truckloads—averaging 72 per day—were picked up in december.
Throughout the 15-month conflict, the UN has described its humanitarian operations as “opportunistic,” facing obstacles such as Israel’s military operations, access restrictions, and looting by armed gangs. However, since the ceasefire took effect, there have been no major law-and-order issues reported.
UNRWA’s Commitment to Gaza
Despite the challenges, UNRWA remains committed to its mission.Lazzarini emphasized that the agency plans to ”stay and deliver” services in areas where it can operate. kaneko added that the UN is “scaling up the broader response, including by providing protection assistance, education activities, and othre essential support.”
Key Data on Aid Delivery to Gaza
| Metric | Details |
|———————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Total Aid Trucks Since Ceasefire | Over 4,200 |
| Daily Requirement (Ceasefire) | 600 truckloads, including 50 fuel trucks |
| Recent Daily Deliveries | 339 (compared to 630 on Sunday, 915 on Monday, 897 on Tuesday) |
| December 2023 Total Deliveries | 2,892 aid trucks |
| December 2023 Average Pickups | 72 aid truckloads per day |
UNRWA’s role as the backbone of humanitarian operations for Palestinians remains indispensable, even as it navigates an increasingly complex and hostile environment. The agency’s ability to deliver aid and essential services will continue to be critical in the coming months, particularly as the threat of famine looms in northern Gaza.
For more updates on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, visit the UNRWA website and OCHA’s latest reports.
Editor: Philippe, can you elaborate on the operational challenges UNRWA is currently facing in Gaza and the West Bank, especially in the context of Israel’s recent restrictions?
Philippe Lazzarini: Certainly. As October 2023, we’ve been under intense pressure, particularly from Israel, which has accused some of our staff of involvement in the October 7 attacks.This led to a law prohibiting Israeli officials from contacting us, which has significantly intricate our operations. for instance, coordinating the entry of aid trucks into Gaza requires bureaucratic and logistical collaboration with Israeli authorities, and the absence of such communication makes even basic tasks like delivering food and medical supplies incredibly challenging. Additionally, we’re navigating a severe funding crisis due to paused international contributions, which further strains our ability to provide essential services.
Editor: How has the ceasefire impacted the delivery of aid to Gaza, and what are some of the immediate challenges you’re encountering?
Philippe Lazzarini: The ceasefire has allowed a important influx of aid—over 4,200 trucks have entered Gaza since it began. However, we’ve noticed a sharp decline in daily deliveries recently, with only 339 trucks entering on a recent day compared to over 900 earlier in the week.The agreement stipulates that at least 600 trucks, including 50 carrying fuel, should enter daily, with half going to the north, where famine is imminent. The drop in deliveries is concerning, as we’re still far from meeting the needs of 2.1 million people. Additionally, while law-and-order issues have decreased, logistical bottlenecks and capacity constraints remain significant hurdles.
Editor: Can you provide more details on how aid is distributed once it enters Gaza, and what role UNRWA plays in this process?
Philippe Lazzarini: Once aid crosses the border, it’s typically dropped off on the Gaza side, where UN agencies and partners pick it up for distribution. In December,for exmaple,we picked up 2,230 truckloads,averaging 72 per day. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure aid reaches those in need, but the process is far from smooth. Distribution is often hindered by Israel’s military operations, access restrictions, and, at times, looting by armed gangs. Since the ceasefire, the situation has improved somewhat, but we’re still operating in an habitat where every step requires negotiation and resilience.
Editor: Despite the challenges, UNRWA remains committed to its mission in Gaza. Can you elaborate on how the agency is scaling up its response amid these difficulties?
Philippe Lazzarini: Absolutely. Our motto is “stay and deliver,” and that’s precisely what we’re doing. We’re scaling up our response by providing not just basic necessities like food and medicine but also protection assistance, education activities, and other essential support. For example, our schools have become shelters for displaced families, and our health clinics are working overtime to address the medical needs of the population. Despite funding gaps and operational obstacles, we remain the backbone of humanitarian efforts in Gaza, and we’re persistent to continue serving the Palestinian people.
Editor: what is your outlook for the coming months, and what steps is UNRWA taking to ensure its long-term viability in the region?
Philippe Lazzarini: The road ahead is uncertain, but our focus remains on delivering essential services and advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. We’re actively engaging with international donors to restore funding and strengthen our operational capacity. Simultaneously occurring, we’re working to improve our systems and processes to adapt to the evolving challenges on the ground. The threat of famine in northern Gaza is particularly alarming, and we’re prioritizing efforts to address this crisis. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that UNRWA remains a lifeline for millions of Palestinians, now and in the future.
Key Takeaways
- UNRWA continues to face significant operational challenges due to Israeli restrictions and a funding crisis.
- The ceasefire has allowed a substantial increase in aid deliveries, but recent declines underscore ongoing logistical hurdles.
- The agency remains committed to its mission, scaling up its response to address immediate needs and prevent famine in northern Gaza.
- Engagement with international donors and operational improvements are key to ensuring UNRWA’s long-term viability.