Middle East crisis Victims

Great devastation in Gaza after months of war – 35,000 children have lost a parent

The ceasefire in Gaza raises hope for an end to one of the most destructive chapters in the 77-year-long conflict between Israel and Palestine. But the devastation is great after the past 15 months of war, Sky News notes in an analysis of available data.

More than nine out of ten homes have been damaged in Gaza and every third has been completely destroyed. The fighting has also damaged large parts of the infrastructure in the area.

At the same time, the war has claimed many human lives. Women, children and the elderly make up 59 percent of the more than 46,000 people who have died. More than 35,000 children have lost at least one parent and nearly 3,500 Gazans have been left without a single surviving family member, according to the Hamas-run health authority.

First emergency aid on its way into Gaza – Unrwa stands ready

The first trucks with emergency aid have begun rolling into Gaza, the UN says, according to AFP.

Earlier on Sunday, two sources told Reuters that around 200 trucks loaded with emergency aid have begun arriving at the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.

At the same time, the UN relief organization for Palestine refugees, Unrwa, writes that 4,000 trucks with emergency aid are ready.

“Half of them contain food and grain,” Unrwa writes on X.

Middle East expert Alexander Atarodi believes that Sunday’s ceasefire will make it possible to bring in more humanitarian aid to the Gaza population.

– There are parts of Gaza that have not received humanitarian aid for a very long time. It is primarily about getting extensive aid to northern Gaza, he tells SVT Nyheter.
Middle East Crisis • Victims
Scenes of joy in Gaza after ceasefire takes effect: “I am alive again”

After 15 months of war, a long-awaited ceasefire came into effect in Gaza on Sunday morning. Pictures published by AFP show Palestinian children celebrating in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Al Jazeera has also published pictures showing Palestinians waving Palestinian flags. Another picture shows rescue and aid workers celebrating in Gaza City.

AFP journalists on the ground report that thousands of Gazans are now returning home. Cars, carts and people carrying their belongings on foot can be seen on the streets through bombed-out areas.

“It feels like I have finally found water after being lost in the desert for 15 months. I feel alive again,” says Aya, who has lived in the Deir Al-Balah refugee camp for over a year.

The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, Unrwa, writes on X that several thousand trucks with emergency aid are ready to enter Gaza.

Scenes of joy in Gaza after ceasefire comes into effect: “I am alive again”

After 15 months of war, a long-awaited ceasefire came into effect in Gaza on Sunday morning. Pictures published by AFP show Palestinian children celebrating in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera has also published pictures showing Palestinians waving Palestinian flags. Another picture shows rescue and aid workers celebrating in Gaza City.

AFP journalists on the ground report that thousands of Gazans are now returning home. Cars, carts and people on foot carrying their belongings through bombed-out areas can be seen on the streets.

– It feels like I have finally found water after being lost in the desert for 15 months. I feel alive again, says Aya, who has lived in the Deir Al-Balah refugee camp for over a year.

The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, Unrwa, writes on X that several thousand trucks with emergency aid are ready to enter Gaza.