In Gaza, Hamas leaders have announced plans to release four additional Israeli hostage prisoners under the terms of a ceasefire deal with Israel. This agreement sees Israel committing to free a group of Palestinian captives during a prisoner exchange scheduled for Saturday.
Since the ceasefire took effect on Sunday, U.N. humanitarian aid has surged, with 4,800 trucks delivering critical supplies. These timely deliveries come just days before a new Israeli law is set to ban the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and its territories. The move could significantly intensify Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as the U.N.’s primary aid operation faces severe challenges.
UNRWA has reported that since October 2023, Israeli attacks on its facilities have resulted in the deaths of 272 agency members. Recently, Palestinian officials visited damaged UN facilities in Rafah, where Israeli attacks left critical infrastructure—including warehouses and delivery vehicles—in ruins.
Mohammed Abou Jazar, a former UNRWA official, expressed shock at the destruction: “This place has nothing to do with resistance or anything else. It was once vital for our survival…”
As the ceasefire continues to unfold, international aid agencies urge urgent action to address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Source: https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/24/headlines