Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

oPt

Post-Ceasefire Humanitarian Pathways in Gaza

Attachments

The Hamas-Israel conflict that erupted in October 2023 was the culmination of decades of tension, territorial disputes, and cycles of violence. Gaza, a densely populated 365-square-kilometer territory, has been at the centre of this hostility since 2007, when Hamas assumed control following a violent split from the Palestinian Authority. This marked the beginning of an ongoing Israeli blockade aimed at curbing Hamas’s military capabilities, while also severely restricting the movement of people and goods. The blockade, coupled with Hamas’s governance challenges, created a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, characterized by poverty, unemployment, and collapsing infrastructure—conditions that fuelled recurring clashes between Israel and militants in Gaza.

The immediate trigger for the war came in September 2023, during confrontations between Israeli police and Palestinian worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The clashes, occurring during overlapping Jewish and Muslim holidays, reignited tensions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, escalating into widespread protests. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched its largest-ever military operation against Israel, named “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.” This surprise assault involved over 5,000 rockets fired into Israeli territory, combined with coordinated ground incursions into border towns. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 Israelis and the capture of more than 200 hostages. The unprecedented scale of the assault prompted Israel to declare war, launching “Operation Swords of Iron” in response. Initial airstrikes targeted Hamas’s infrastructure, while the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) prepared for a ground invasion.

The war quickly escalated into one of the most destructive conflicts in recent history. By November 2023, the IDF had launched a large-scale ground invasion of Gaza, targeting urban centres such as Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Rafah. The fighting caused extensive casualties and displacement, with over 15,000 Palestinians killed and 1.5 million forced to flee their homes. Meanwhile, Hamas and its allied militant groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad, continued launching rockets into Israeli cities like Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, and Be’er Sheva. The conflict also risked regional escalation, with cross-border skirmishes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian-backed forces in Syria.

Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to mediate a ceasefire in the early months of the conflict failed as both sides pursued maximalist goals. Israel demanded the complete disarmament of Hamas and the release of all hostages, while Hamas sought an end to the blockade and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The situation in Gaza deteriorated rapidly, with hospitals overwhelmed, power outages lasting weeks, and critical shortages of food, water, and medicine. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations described the conditions as catastrophic, warning of famine and disease outbreaks.

Several key developments in 2024 shaped the trajectory of the conflict and opened the door to ceasefire negotiations. Global criticism of Israel’s military campaign mounted, with reports of widespread destruction and civilian casualties prompting calls for restraint from the United Nations and European Union. Simultaneously, Hamas suffered significant military setbacks as Israel destroyed much of its tunnel network, weapons stockpiles, and command infrastructure. By mid-2024, backchannel negotiations led to limited prisoner exchanges, creating an opening for broader ceasefire talks. The United States intensified its mediation efforts, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff working closely with Qatar and Egypt to bridge gaps between the parties. A pivotal moment came on January 10, 2025, when a large-scale Israeli airstrike targeting a senior Hamas leader caused significant civilian casualties, prompting renewed urgency for a truce.

On January 16, 2025, after weeks of intense negotiations, both sides agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The agreement included a phased withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza, the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, and a framework for delivering humanitarian aid and beginning Gaza’s reconstruction. Control over critical areas like the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim Corridor would transition to international and Egyptian forces under strict monitoring. Additionally, the blockade would be partially eased, with the reopening of key border crossings such as Rafah and Kerem Shalom for humanitarian and commercial purposes.

The ceasefire represents a fragile but critical step toward ending hostilities and addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. However, the conflict left devastating impacts, including over 25,000 deaths, the displacement of millions, and billions in infrastructure damage. International actors have pledged $5 billion for reconstruction, but the challenge remains to en sure transparency and prevent Hamas’s rearmament. While the ceasefire provides temporary relief, the underlying causes of the conflict—territorial disputes, ideological divisions, and the blockade—remain unresolved, leaving the region vulnerable to future escalations.