Humanitarian Coalition calls for ceasefire in Gaza to be definitive and lasting, highlights staggering humanitarian needs

The Humanitarian Coalition welcomes the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities. More than two years of daily bombings and attacks have decimated Gaza, resulting in a massive humanitarian crisis and a devastating famine in Gaza City. A rapid surge in unfettered and safe humanitarian access is crucial for meeting the urgent needs of the entire population, which exceeds two million people.  After more than two years of daily bombings and attacks in Gaza:  More than 67,000 people are confirmed to have been killed, including more than 20,000 childrenMore than 170,000 people have been injured2 million people have been forced from their homes by violenceMore than 500,000 people are experiencing catastrophic hunger89% of Gaza’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, leaving more than 90% of households water insecureOur members stand ready to scale up their response by providing lifesaving food, water, emergency health services, psychosocial support, shelter and protection services to women, children and men across the Gaza Strip. Despite the extremely challenging humanitarian and security situation over the past two years, our members have been actively responding to this crisis — many of them have been addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza for decades.We continue to call for the upholding of international humanitarian law and the immediate release of all unjustly detained people and hostages. We fervently hope that this latest announcement will lead to a permanent and lasting peace.