The Gaza conflict appears to be winding down, yet Israel continues to breach the ceasefire agreement, leading to growing humanitarian concerns. As the region begins to emerge from the devastation caused by the intense conflict, the international community is rallying around the urgent need for reconstruction. Central to these efforts is the opening of border crossings, enabling the flow of essential supplies to the residents who have faced shortages for over two years.
On the ground, Israel violated the ceasefire by killing six Palestinians across three different locations in Gaza. Furthermore, Israeli officials have announced that the Rafah crossing will not reopen as planned today and that humanitarian aid entering Gaza will be reduced by half. This action is justified by Israel due to the inability to recover the bodies of 24 individuals believed to be held in the territory, despite the agreement stating that the recovery would require time and effort, with dedicated teams including representatives from the US, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar working on it.
A United Nations Development Programme official reported that nations like the United States, Canada, as well as several Arab and European countries, have shown promising interest in financing the reconstruction of Gaza, which is estimated to cost around $70 billion. The conflict has resulted in rubble comparable to 13 times the weight of the Pyramids of Giza. During a press briefing in Geneva, Jaco Seilers of the UNDP noted that the war resulted in at least 55 million tons of debris, and the complete recovery of Gaza could take decades. He also mentioned that the UNDP has already removed approximately 81,000 tons of rubble and continues its clearing efforts.
The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have called for all crossings into Gaza to be reopened to facilitate the delivery of aid. Both organizations underscored that the ceasefire agreement necessitates the opening of borders to allow a steady flow of support into the region. Red Cross spokesperson Christian Cardon highlighted the humanitarian workers’ demands to ensure that all entry points be accessible due to the immense needs present.
Border Openings
Yens Lirke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stressed the urgent need to open all crossings. He acknowledged that some crossings are partially destroyed and emphasized the need to clear debris from streets in Gaza to allow trucks to enter. Lirke stated that the UN currently has 190,000 tons of aid ready to be deployed into Gaza.
Additionally, the World Health Organization revealed that over 15,600 patients in Gaza urgently require medical evacuation for treatment outside the territory. The organization noted that hospitals in Gaza are on the brink of collapse due to severe shortages of medications, medical supplies, and fuel. They emphasized that reopening medical corridors is critical to saving lives and allowing patients access to necessary treatments abroad. The WHO also highlighted the severe health risks arising from water contamination, waste accumulation, and the breakdown of sanitation infrastructure, urging for enhanced monitoring of infectious diseases. They called upon the international community to take urgent action to provide medical supplies, fuel, and logistical support necessary for health facilities to continue operating, highlighting the persistence of a critical humanitarian situation despite the declared ceasefire.
Petia Koiva-Brooks, Deputy Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, stated that the ceasefire presents an opportunity for sustainable economic recovery in the region. She indicated that the IMF is prepared to collaborate with the international community to revitalize Gaza and regional economies heavily affected by the conflict, including Egypt and Jordan.
US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of the second phase of the Gaza agreement on his social media platform. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his intentions to gather support for Gaza’s reconstruction, predicting that funding for projects would be secured promptly.
Erdoğan remarked on Israel’s history of adhering to ceasefire agreements, which necessitates strict monitoring by the US and other nations to ensure compliance. He expressed optimism that substantial financial aid would soon be allocated for reconstruction projects proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League, mentioning ongoing efforts to garner support from Gulf nations, the US, and European countries.
Moreover, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the need for European nations to swiftly contribute to improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza. He noted, “As Europeans, we must recognize our responsibility in stabilizing the situation and calming overall tensions. This process awaits all of us, not just the US President, and will be quite difficult, but it is crucial that we act quickly to enhance the humanitarian landscape.” He mentioned Germany’s willingness to support this initiative and expressed hope for developing a comprehensive political vision for the Middle East, focusing on how Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully. While acknowledging the long journey ahead, he stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and continuing efforts.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also conveyed his belief that the potential for achieving lasting peace in the Middle East outweighs the associated risks, while asserting that substantial work begins now. He stated, “October 13 was a historical day, but the real efforts to realize outcomes start today. The international community must create structures, and we must open pathways for lasting peace between Hamas and the Palestinians on one side, and the Israelis and their government on the other.”
Strengthening Influence
The European Union’s external action department suggested that the EU should enhance its influence in Gaza’s reconstruction process and participate in the peace council proposed by the US to oversee the territory’s interim governance. The document stated that it is crucial to gain clarity on fundamental aspects that have not yet been fully addressed, particularly regarding the future role of Palestinians in Gaza post-conflict. The EU is encouraged to be part of the peace council’s oversight body to impact strategic choices and to maximize its leverage through available tools for the process.
Restoring Life
In this context, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa affirmed that the ceasefire marks a vital step towards restoring normal life for Gaza’s residents, noting that this is not the end but a new beginning. He emphasized that it should lead to security restoration, the unification of national institutions between the West Bank and Gaza, and instill hope for stability. Mustafa stated, “Ceasing hostilities alone is insufficient to end the tragedy; the genuine guarantee of security and peace to prevent a recurrence of such events requires empowering the Palestinian government to fulfill its role in Gaza, as part of its national responsibility to our people everywhere.”
Return of Remains
The International Committee of the Red Cross also mentioned that the retrieval of remains of hostages and detainees killed during the Gaza conflict will take time, labeling it an immense challenge given the difficulty of locating remains amid the rubble. Christian Cardon pointed out, “This is an even greater challenge than the return of the living. It may take days or even weeks, and there is a likelihood that some may never be found.” He added, “There is a clear risk that this could take much longer. We demand that all parties prioritize this matter.” The Red Cross stated it would provide 23 additional personnel, body bags, and refrigerated vehicles to ensure respectful and dignified handling of the deceased in Gaza, stressing the need for all parties to ensure the return of human remains in a humane manner.
Identifying Hostages
The Israeli army confirmed the identities of four deceased hostages returned by Hamas. The National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in collaboration with Israeli police, notified the relatives of Jay Elon and Paybin Gushi about the identification, as stated in an announcement disseminated via Telegram. The statement also indicated that the identities of the other two hostages were confirmed but not disclosed, and the Israeli army has demanded that Hamas hand over the bodies of the remaining 24 hostages.
Furthermore, three Israeli officials reported yesterday that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza would not open (today) as per the agreement, and the flow of aid to the territory will diminish.
Israel stated it would respond to the delays in returning the remains of deceased hostages by halving the number of trucks permitted to deliver humanitarian aid to the region.
Officials explained that these measures were enacted against Hamas for its failure to return the bodies of hostages. Local health authorities in Gaza reported yesterday that the first batch of remains of Palestinians killed during the conflict had reached the territory following their transfer from Israel.
On the Ground
In a recent incident, four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza. As reported by the Palestinian News Agency, a medical source indicated that three individuals were shot down by drone fire while inspecting their homes in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood east of Gaza City. The agency further reported that one Palestinian was killed and another injured when a drone struck the town of al-Fukhari east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, also noting injuries among several Palestinians due to shelling at the Al-Halawa camp for displaced persons in Jabalia, north of Gaza.