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UN urges rapid humanitarian scale-up as Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal begins
Summary
A United Nations representative welcomed a ceasefire and initial hostage releases from Gaza, credited mediators, and urged rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access — including for UNRWA and other agencies — while calling for protection of civilians and removal of explosive ordnance.
A United Nations representative told the Security Council that a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza offers a “ray of hope” and urged that the agreement be fully implemented to deliver relief and a permanent cessation of hostilities. He credited Egypt, Qatar and the United States for mediation and noted that “yesterday, the first 3 female hostages were released as part of the first phase, and 90 Palestinian prisoners were also released by Israel.”
The representative said the United Nations is working to scale up humanitarian deliveries and reported that more than 630 trucks of aid entered Gaza the previous day, with at least 300 of them going to the north. He emphasized that “United Nations entities, including the backbone of our humanitarian response, UNRWA, must be able to perform their functions without hindrance” and that the UN must have “rapid, safe, and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and material to repair infrastructure.”
The speaker outlined four simultaneous actions needed on the ground: ensure UN and other humanitarian actors can operate freely; provide visas, permits and protective and communications equipment to allow a surge of relief; enable civilians to access lifesaving aid and medical evacuations; and remove explosive ordnance so people can return safely. The representative also urged member states to accept patients needing evacuation, called for restoration of public order to prevent looting of supplies, and said international media should be allowed into Gaza to report on conditions.
The representative reiterated condemnation of the October 7 terror attacks and of the high levels of death and destruction in Gaza, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and protection of civilians while humanitarian flows scale up.
