A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has sparked celebrations on Gaza's streets, but concerns remain over the implementation of the deal.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal after intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced on Wednesday.
According to the agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase, spanning six weeks from Jan 19, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli military will withdraw from populated areas to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their residence in the Gaza Strip.
The details of the second and third phases will be announced after the completion of the first phase of the agreement.
Abu Abdul Zain, a displaced Gaza resident, refused to join the celebrations, doubting if the deal will be actually implemented.
"We hope the news (coming from Doha) will be good, but I have a message for the world. Why should we celebrate today? Thousands of bodies are still under the rubbles and hundreds of bodies are still in the streets. First of all, we hope that God will give us victory, and a ceasefire will take place, so that we can return to our homes," he said.
Israeli attacks have killed 46,707 Palestinians in Gaza and reduced much of the territory to rubble, according to Gaza-based health authorities.
The 15 months of fighting and siege have created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to reports, humanitarian aid will flow in, with 600 trucks entering Gaza daily, including 50 carrying much-needed fuel to restore electricity in the territory.
However, some people in Gaza are still deeply worried about the uncertain future.
"My father was killed, my brother was killed, and we have no one who cares about us. The relatives cannot help. We have nothing left. We have lost everything. All my uncles were killed and there is no one left. When we were in the south and the truce started at that time, my father bought me new clothes. Today, there is no one to buy me clothes. And we lost the money my father saved from working at that time," said Ghazal Saba, a displaced little girl, weeping.
Gazans cautiously hopeful as Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal
Gazans cautiously hopeful as Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal
Gazans cautiously hopeful as Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving millions in Sudan, especially women and children, struggling with food insecurity, displacement, and violence.
The armed conflict that erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023 has been ongoing for nearly two years, creating a severe humanitarian disaster in the country. A recent report released by the United Nations indicates that by 2025, more than 15 million women in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)'s report -- "Sudan: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 - Overview" -- highlights that Sudanese women and children are disproportionately affected by the conflict, facing more acute challenges such as food shortages, survival crises, and the risk of gender-based violence.
The report reveals that approximately 24.6 million people in Sudan are in a state of "severe food insecurity" or worse, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. They face greater difficulties in accessing food, drinking water, healthcare, and ensuring their personal safety.
"Life is so hard. We don't have clean drinking water, and the water supply in grocery stores has also been cut off. We are short of food and water, and we are in despair. The prices of everything are continuously rising," said Sakina Ahmed, a resident.
Due to the severe damage and shortages in healthcare facilities, the situation for pregnant women and newborns in Sudan is dire. According to data from Sudan's Ministry of Health, 295 out of every 100,000 pregnant women die, and 51 out of every 1,000 newborns die.
Additionally, Sudan's education system has been severely disrupted by the conflict. Over 10,000 schools have been closed as a result of the fighting, and more than 90 percent of the 19 million school-age children are unable to access formal education, with girls being particularly affected by school dropouts, the report said.
"I was an eighth-grade student, but because of the conflict, I've been out of school for one year and four months," said Asrar Essam.
According to a statement by the UN resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, the armed conflict, along with the resulting mass displacement of people and widespread food insecurity, has led to a significant increase in gender-based violence, including sexual assaults.
The UN has called on Sudan to establish non-violent response mechanisms and strengthen accountability systems to safeguard the safety and dignity of all vulnerable groups. Most importantly, the UN has emphasized the urgent need to end the armed conflict and restore peace and stability.
Women, children face dire struggles amid ongoing Sudan armed conflict