Aid is slowly entering Gaza after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, but delivery “remains constrained,” humanitarian agencies have said.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the US, came into force on 10 October. It stipulated an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals.1
It also included a deal that has seen Hamas release all 20 living hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attack, in exchange for Israel releasing 2000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.2
On 13 October, the non-profit organisation Healthcare Workers Watch said that 55 healthcare workers from Gaza had been listed as being released from Israeli detention as part of the exchange deal, including 24 nurses, 7 doctors, and 2 paramedics.3 It welcomed their release but said at least 115 more Gazan healthcare workers were still being held in Israeli detention.
Aid slowly trickling in
Aid agencies confirmed to The BMJ that more aid was being allowed into Gaza after the ceasefire but said that this was only a fraction of what’s needed amid widespread famine and malnutrition.4
The Norwegian Refugee Council …
