Palestinian children celebrate at a displaced persons camp in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, on October 9, 2025, after news of a Gaza ceasefire. Image credit/ Eyad Baba AFP via Getty Images
New York, US (Epicstorian News) — Israel and Hamas on Thursday signed a ceasefire agreement that includes provisions for a major Gaza humanitarian aid surge into the enclave following years of blockade and conflict.
The agreement mandates the reopening of Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings to allow fuel, food, medical and shelter supplies into Gaza.
United Nations humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher said agencies will deliver hundreds of truckloads daily to reach Gaza’s 2.1 million residents, according to a media report.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the deal as a “path toward Palestinian self-determination”.
Relief agencies warn that the success of the corridors will depend on whether full access is granted across all Gaza districts under the ceasefire framework.
Obstacles remain as Gaza humanitarian aid operation scales up
The Norwegian Refugee Council cautioned that the plan “will fail unless full access is granted to all humanitarian groups,” in comments.
NRC head Jan Egeland called for the removal of bureaucratic barriers and greater oversight to ensure deliveries reach civilians safely.
Past aid operations have seen civilians killed while queuing for assistance, underscoring the risk surrounding distribution points, according to medical sources cited by Reuters.
Several crossings remain under Israeli inspection authority, prompting concern among NGOs that prolonged checks could delay critical deliveries.
Mass relief efforts mobilize in Gaza under new ceasefire
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said it has thousands of truckloads of supplies staged on the Egyptian side, awaiting entry once full approval is granted.
An UNRWA spokesperson said “6,000 truckloads of humanitarian goods” are prepared for deployment into Gaza, according to figures shared with The New Arab.
Egypt dispatched its 47th convoy toward the Karam Abu Salem crossing on Thursday, marking another supply effort amid the ceasefire agreement.
The convoy departed from an auxiliary gate at Rafah and moved southeast toward the border, where Palestinian authorities are coordinating reception points.
Internal distribution challenges persist across Gaza regions
Once inside Gaza, supplies must traverse heavily damaged roads and divided districts to reach the north and south.
Restrictions and infrastructure damage have limited internal mobility for years, according to data from OCHA.
Several humanitarian organizations have urged for deconflicted zones to allow safe delivery routes across the enclave.
Local relief groups are expected to cooperate with civil defense units to prevent duplication or diversion of supplies.
Scrutiny and caution as Gaza humanitarian aid operations unfold
Donor governments have pledged funding for relief logistics, but aid agencies stress that distribution must remain free of political interference.
Guterres said the truce “must be leveraged immediately to alleviate famine warnings” in Gaza, emphasizing urgency in humanitarian coordination.
The NRC reiterated that partial control over aid flow could compromise neutrality and hinder civilian trust in relief systems.
International monitors will track whether inspection or checkpoint procedures obstruct delivery of life-saving goods.
Coordination between Israeli and Palestinian officials remains crucial for maintaining deconflicted supply routes.
Palestinians awaiting aid say the ceasefire offers their first hope for consistent food, fuel and water supplies in nearly two years of war.
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The durability of the Gaza humanitarian aid surge will determine whether this ceasefire can ease a crisis that has displaced millions.
Reporting by Jamila Ahmed; additional reporting by AFP and The New Arab in Cairo, Gaza and New York. Edited for Epicstorian News.
