More than 100 humanitarian and human rights organisations have said that the Gaza ceasefire “exists only on paper,” citing continued Israeli attacks, restrictions on humanitarian aid and obstacles to reconstruction a year after the agreement.
In a joint statement on Friday, the organisations said Israeli attacks, shootings and military aggression had killed more than 1,400 Palestinians over the past year, including at least 324 children.
“A ceasefire is meaningless if children continue to be killed and families remain unable to rebuild their lives,” said Inger Ashing, chief executive of Save the Children. “Since the ceasefire was announced, nearly one child has been killed every day.”
The groups called on governments to halt the killings, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and support Gaza’s reconstruction and accountability for violations.
Displacement and destruction deepen winter fears
The statement said Israeli forces had pushed the so-called Yellow Line deeper into Gaza, beyond the withdrawal line established under the agreement, leaving Palestinians confined to an increasingly crowded area.
Nearly 2 million people still need shelter, while more than 80 percent of Gaza’s structures have been damaged, according to the organisations.
With winter approaching, displaced families face the prospect of living in unsafe buildings or tents vulnerable to cold, strong winds and flooding.
A damaged building collapsed in Gaza City in September, killing 21 people, including 12 children, the organisations said.
Norwegian Refugee Council Secretary General Jan Egeland warned that Israeli restrictions on equipment and construction materials were continuing to obstruct recovery and prevent families from rebuilding their homes.
Hospitals struggle as hunger and medical needs mount
Gaza’s health system remains under severe pressure, with none of the territory’s 36 hospitals operating at full capacity, the statement said. Critical shortages of medicines, medical equipment and fuel continue to limit treatment.
More than 18,500 patients, including at least 4,000 children, need medical evacuation, according to the organisations, which said more than 1,000 patients had died while waiting.
Meanwhile, 1.4 million people face crisis-level hunger or worse through the end of the year, the statement said, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian emergency despite the ceasefire.
The organisations urged governments to press for unrestricted aid deliveries, enable reconstruction and ensure accountability for violations.
“Accountability cannot be buried under the rubble,” said Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
