Two senior officials from UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) say the ceasefire in Gaza has led to meaningful humanitarian improvements, but conditions remain extremely dangerous for children. Speaking to journalists in New York after a week-long visit to Gaza and the occupied West Bank, they stressed that while aid delivery has increased significantly, the overall situation is still fragile and far from resolved.
Since the truce began on 10 October, UNICEF and WFP have facilitated the entry of more than 10,000 aid trucks into Gaza, accounting for around 80 per cent of all humanitarian cargo. Three months on, food security has improved and famine has been reversed, with many families now able to eat at least once a day, and sometimes twice. Markets have begun to function again, with basic food items reappearing, while children are receiving recreational kits to help them cope with the psychological impact of prolonged conflict.
Humanitarian partners have expanded life-saving services across the enclave. More than 1.6 million people now have access to clean drinking water, while hundreds of thousands have received blankets and winter clothing. Critical paediatric intensive care services have been restored at Al Shifa Hospital, routine childhood vaccination campaigns have resumed, and nutrition services have expanded significantly, demonstrating what is possible when fighting pauses and humanitarian access improves.
WFP has also rapidly scaled up operations over the past 100 days, reaching more than one million people each month with food assistance. Hot meals are being served daily, school snacks are reaching hundreds of thousands of children in temporary learning spaces, and logistics support has enabled other humanitarian organizations to bring in essential shelter and relief items. Cash assistance has also been expanded to support tens of thousands of vulnerable households.
Despite these gains, the humanitarian situation remains dire for children. Aid levels are still insufficient to meet vast needs, and more than 100 children have reportedly been killed since the ceasefire began. Acute malnutrition continues to affect around 100,000 children, while 1.3 million people urgently need adequate shelter. Families are surviving in makeshift tents and damaged buildings amid freezing winter conditions that have already claimed the lives of at least 10 children.
At the same time, signs of hope are emerging. Over 250,000 children have been supported to return to learning, providing a sense of routine and psychological support after two years out of school. Many children are beginning to envision futures for themselves once again, reflecting resilience even amid hardship.
UNICEF and WFP emphasize that sustained humanitarian access and political decisions are urgently needed to build on this progress. Essential supplies for water, sanitation, education, and shelter must be allowed to enter Gaza to support recovery and reconstruction. The agencies stress that this moment represents a critical opportunity to change the trajectory for children in Gaza and the wider State of Palestine, and that it must not be wasted.
