After more than two years of starvation, displacement, and extreme violence resulting from Israeli military operations in Gaza, today’s announcement of a ceasefire offers a long-awaited flicker of relief. Action Against Hunger urges that this lifesaving moment be transformed into a permanent ceasefire – one that includes the release of hostages and detainees and guarantees unrestricted access across Gaza.
Manuel Sanchez-Montero, chief executive officer at Action Against Hunger Spain, said:
“The halting of hostilities alone will not save lives. Our teams must be granted immediate and safe access to all areas of Gaza to reach families who have been cut off from food, water, and medical care for weeks.
“We stress the importance of making every effort to implement the agreement as quickly and effectively as possible – we have aid ready to go in as of tomorrow, and it is much needed.”
In recent weeks, little to no food or humanitarian aid has reached North Gaza or Gaza City, where famine is spreading rapidly. Action Against Hunger teams stand ready to respond – as they did just hours after the January 2025 ceasefire – but conditions today are far worse. Destruction is deeper, hunger more acute, and recovery will take far longer.
Action Against Hunger currently has over 2,000 food parcels awaiting entry in Amman and hundreds of staff members are on the ground in Gaza, prepared to scale up operations the moment access is granted.
Manuel Sanchez-Montero, chief executive officer at Action Against Hunger Spain, added:
“We take this moment to honour the tens of thousands of people who were killed before they could see this cause for hope, including some of our own colleagues. Our teams will continue their mission in their memory – to save lives with dignity and compassion.”
Action Against Hunger also warns that violence and displacement in the West Bank must not be ignored. During the last temporary ceasefire, Israeli military operations displaced more than 40,000 people in the northern West Bank, marking the largest mass displacement since 1967.
Action Against Hunger calls upon the international community to seize this moment to ensure that the ceasefire leads to a lasting solution that supports the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to all families in need and takes steps toward a meaningful Palestinian-led reconstruction process.