There’s Finally A Gaza Ceasefire Deal. How Much Faith Do Humanitarians Have In It?

Israel had until now ignored the international community in decimating Gaza, so humanitarians are expressing cautious optimism its military will abide.

After more than a year of relentless attacks and tens of thousands of deaths, Israel and Hamas have finally agreed to a deal that includes a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages.

But until now, Israel had ignored the international community in its decimation of the territory, so Palestinians and humanitarians are expressing cautious optimism that the military will keep its promises in the agreement.

There is deep skepticism and caution as a humanitarian, “but if the bombing stops even for a bit I’m elated,” Dr. John Kahler, MedGlobal’s co-founder who has provided medical aid in Gaza, told HuffPost.

The agreement came 15 months after Hamas militants launched an attack in Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage, roughly half of whom are estimated to still be in captivity. Since that attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli forces, largely armed by the U.S., have killed more than 46,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the Gaza Strip to rubble ― a military campaign that leading human rights groups and United Nations experts have labeled a genocide.

The deal is “a crucial step toward reducing the killing of Palestinians through deadly force,” the Palestinian Al-Mezan Center said. “However, the ceasefire alone will not the ongoing genocide that Israel is perpetrating against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”