A ceasefire agreement in Gaza could significantly boost humanitarian aid deliveries, with up to 600 trucks expected to enter the region daily, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO representative in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), expressed optimism in a statement on Friday following reports that Israel’s security cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
“The target is to get between 500 and 600 trucks in per day over the coming weeks,” Peeperkorn stated, noting this would be a dramatic increase from the current 40 to 50 trucks and on par with pre-war aid levels before the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023.
Peeperkorn described the ceasefire as “a sign of hope” but warned of the immense challenges ahead. Chronic shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies have left Gaza’s population in dire straits. Plans are already underway to initiate aid deliveries on Sunday, with temporary prefabricated clinics and hospitals among the key provisions to address urgent health needs.
The conflict has devastated Gaza’s healthcare system, leaving only 18 of its 36 hospitals operational. The UN health agency reports 664 attacks on healthcare facilities since October, resulting in civilian and medical worker casualties.
Since the war erupted, over 46,000 people have died, and more than 110,000 have been injured, many with life-altering conditions. WHO estimates that more than 12,000 patients, including 4,000 children, require urgent evacuation for specialized medical care. However, evacuation approvals have been minimal, with only 29 of 1,200 requests granted between November and December 2024.
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