On 19 January 2025, a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel begun, bringing a glimmer of hope to the millions of children and families devastated by the 15-month-long war.
Since the violence escalated in October 2023, tens of thousands of children have been killed or injured, taken hostage, separated from their parents and loved ones – a whole barrage of atrocities inflicted on the most vulnerable. As the war raged on, every child in Gaza has been exposed to deeply distressing events and trauma marked by widespread destruction, relentless attacks, displacement, and severe shortages of essentials such as food, water, and medicine.
Devastatingly, more than 90 per cent of the population (1.9 million people) in Gaza have been displaced multiple times, with nearly the entire population (2.1 million people) facing high levels of food insecurity.

Ceasefire announced in Gaza
With the ceasefire now in effect, families begin to move forward with the hope that both sides will honour the agreements and that they can start the long journey of recovery and rebuilding.
Children dream of brighter future

Due to constant bombardment, 95 per cent of schools across Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and children like 10-year-old Lana have not been able to attend any formal schooling. UNICEF and our partners have been setting up safe learning spaces in camps for internally displaced people so that children can continue their education.
“I'm really happy to be back at school and reading again. My mum started teaching me to help me keep reading and writing so I can express myself better. I used to get an average of 97 per cent in previous school years," says Lana.

Qamar's story
A ceasefire brings hope to children like seven-year-old Qamar, who lost a limb during an airstrike that hit her family home. This is Qamar’s story as she hopes for a future where she can become a doctor and help children like her.

Across the Gaza Strip, water production is at less than 25 per cent capacity, leaving families to rely on water trucks delivered by organisations like UNICEF. Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, UNICEF has reached over 2 million people with safe water for drinking and domestic needs, helping children like 12-year-old Hiyam.
“I fetch water every day and it is exhausting, my hands hurt from carrying the jerrycans for long distance. I miss waking up in the morning, brushing my hair, and getting ready to go to school. I wish those days would come back," Hiyam said.
UNICEF will stay and deliver as families start to recover
The scale of humanitarian need is enormous, with over 3.3 million people in desperate need. UNICEF and our partners are scaling up our response so that we can reach even more people, especially those who have had little to no support.
As of 19 January 2025, we have a total of 1,300 truckloads linked up ready to deliver lifesaving nutrition, water and sanitation, health, education and psychosocial supplies for children in urgent need. An additional 700 truckloads are set to follow.
"With the collapse of essential services across Gaza, we must act urgently to save lives and help children recover."

UNICEF calls on both sides to honour the agreements and ensure unimpeded access for all humanitarian aid so that organisations like UNICEF can reach children and families with the support they so desperately need.
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