Aid groups ready humanitarian push for Gaza following ceasefire deal

Carroll, who visited Gaza last December, described the destruction as “enormous beyond comprehension”.

“The Palestinians are resolute. They’re resourceful. They were already rebuilding, but there needs to be massive amounts of support – financial aid, expertise, innovation,” he said.

He added that the lack of aid has worsened instability, and urged unrestricted humanitarian access.

“(There’s) both desperation – families grabbing what they can – and war profiteering that breeds organised crime. The social fabric has deteriorated. We’ve got to get aid in so we get rid of that desperation and war profiteering,” he said.

“The parties to this ceasefire agreement and this pathway towards peace need to recognise that for this to work, there really needs to be unfettered access to everything that’s needed for recovery and rebuilding.”

UNCERTAINTIES AHEAD 

Despite optimism over the ceasefire agreement, analysts warn that it is only the first step in a complex and uncertain peace process.  

The deal, hailed by Trump as a “historic moment”, is a phased plan involving partial Israeli troop withdrawal, the release of hostages, and eventually, Gaza’s reconstruction. There will also be a “Board of Peace” headed by Trump and involving former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.