Caritas praises Gaza truce but humanitarian task lies ahead

The first step of a plan announced by United States President Donald Trump’s started on October 10 when Israel implemented a ceasefire and withdrew its forces from parts of Gaza, allowing displaced families to begin trekking back to their homes, many of them wrecked by Israeli bombardments, Radio New Zealand reported.

Under the ceasefire deal pushed by President Trump, Hamas was to release its remaining hostages, and Israel was to release 250 prisoners and 1700 detained Gazans. There are many other provisions in the plan concerning Hamas, Gaza and political and miliary control.

In a Facebook post, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand said the truce “offers a rare moment of hope after two years of devastating conflict”.

“For Gaza, it could mark the beginning of a long and difficult recovery. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed. Around 92 per cent of homes are destroyed or damaged. Nearly 2 million people remain displaced. Half a million face famine, and vital infrastructure including schools, hospitals, water and sanitation systems is in ruins.

“The announcement is an important first step,” Caritas continued, “but Gaza’s humanitarian crisis is far from over. Urgent and sustained access for humanitarian aid is essential to meet basic needs and begin rebuilding lives.”

Caritas Jerusalem said all its colleagues in Gaza “are overjoyed with the news” of the agreement, “and they are very keen on helping all those afflicted by the war – the patients, the casualties and the grief-stricken in Gaza”.

“In the coming phase, we are looking forward to rebuilding people’s souls in the Holy Land, and specifically in Gaza.”

Cardinal Pierre Battista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and president of Caritas Jerusalem, said the agreement “is good news, obviously. We are very happy. It is a first step, first phase. Of course, there are many others. For sure, there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring a new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians. And now we finally see something new and different.”

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Israel and Hamas have announced… (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand/Facebook)

Palestinians return to devastated Gaza City as truce holds (Radio New Zealand)