Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

NEW YORK, 10 October 2025 - "UNICEF welcomes today's ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which provides hope for Palestinian children who have suffered through two years of horrific war.

"UNICEF has more than 1,300 trucks ready to bring in tents, nutrition items, essential medicines and vaccines, learning and recreation kits, and water and sanitation supplies. We have dedicated staff and partners on the ground making a difference in the lives of children. All parties must ensure that UN humanitarian operations can immediately and safely resume at scale.

"It is imperative that parties adhere to the terms of the agreement and ensure that the ceasefire is respected, sustained and leads to a lasting peace, and that all hostages in the Gaza Strip are released in a safe and dignified manner.

"Two years of bombardments and fighting have resulted in catastrophic devastation across the Gaza Strip - more than 64,000 children have been reported killed and injured, and homes, hospitals and schools have been destroyed. Essential services have collapsed, and the scale of humanitarian needs is immense.

"Famine has been declared in parts of the Gaza Strip, and the entire under-five population, 320,000 children, is at risk of acute malnutrition. More than 56,000 children have lost one or both parents. All children have experienced traumatic events and significant interruptions to their education.

"The ceasefire must, finally, afford humanitarian actors the opportunity to safely deliver the massive response inside the Gaza Strip that is so desperately needed. This includes unimpeded access to reach all children and families with food and nutrition, health care, protection services and psychosocial support, safe water and sanitation, education, as well as cash assistance and the resumption of commercial trucking operations.

"All crossings into Gaza, including in the north, should be opened immediately for the flow of humanitarian aid and essential goods and critical supplies. With winter coming, there is limited time left to ensure that children and families have access to essential supplies to cope with harsh weather and freezing temperatures.

"UNICEF strongly urges the parties to seize this agreement as an opportunity to forge a lasting political resolution that ensures the rights and wellbeing of all Palestinian and Israeli children.

"The war has already cost children in Gaza so much. They now deserve a durable and lasting peace so the long recovery process can begin."

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UNICEF is the world's leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.caand follow us on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.

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