António Guterres expressed his “deep relief” that the hostages had been released, two years after they were among the approximately 250 captured during the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023, before highlighting their “immense suffering”.

The UN secretary-general’s comments came as he traveled to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt with world leaders for the Gaza peace summit. The international meeting was convened after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza, in accordance with an agreement between Israel and Hamas, negotiated in Egypt by American mediators and representatives of Qatar and Turkey.

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190,000 tonnes of aid to be delivered

At the same time, UN humanitarian agencies have reported significant positive developments in the delivery of aid to Gaza.

“Our scale-up of humanitarian assistance to Gaza is on track,” the UN humanitarian agency said. OCHAwho said he had obtained Israeli approval for 190,000 tons of food, shelter items, medicine and other supplies to enter the Gaza Strip, 20,000 more than previously agreed.

For the first time since March, cooking gas was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, “more tents for displaced families, frozen meat, fresh fruit, flour and medicine also entered Gaza throughout the day on Sunday,” OCHA said in an update.

Importantly, the humanitarian agency said its workers and partners were now able to move more easily “across multiple areas” – a welcome development following continued access restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities.

This allowed humanitarian teams to preposition medical and emergency supplies “where they are most needed”, the UN agency said, in addition to assessing main roads for explosion risks and supporting displaced families in flood-prone areas ahead of winter.

“This is just the beginning. As part of our plan for the first 60 days of the ceasefire, the UN and its partners will expand the scale and scope of our operations to provide vital aid and services to virtually everyone in Gaza,” OCHA continued.

Symptoms of war

Two years of extreme violence and constant Israeli bombardment have left many families without a home to return to.

The violence has also created vast physical and psychological needs across Gaza, which UN agencies are already responding to.

UNICEFthe United Nations Children’s Fund, stressed that “the million” young people in the Gaza Strip are in need of mental health and psychosocial support.

The war has devastated young people’s sense of security, development and well-being, the UN agency insisted, with many experiencing “severe symptoms of stress” such as withdrawal, nightmares and bedwetting.

To help children heal and overcome their fears, UNICEF supports a self-help program in which trainers show children how to use stress management techniques to release and process painful thoughts and images.

One of these devices is an imaginary “safety button” that children can press when they feel overwhelmed by their situation.

“Whenever I was scared, I would put my hand on the safety button and breathe in and out deeply. It gave me a lot of relief,” said Anas, 15, one of the children helped by the program.

By 2025, UNICEF said eight out of ten young people in the program had a reduction in traumatic stress symptoms.

The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEFreceived reports that the attack occurred at a facility housing families displaced by the ongoing conflict in the region. Twenty-one other children were reportedly injured.

According to media reports, up to 60 people were killed in Saturday’s assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been fighting the Sudanese army since April 2023. The conflict has created a humanitarian catastrophe, with tens of millions of people living in conditions of acute famine.

“This devastating attack on children and families already displaced and seeking safety is a scandal,” said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF. “Killing and injuring children are serious violations of their rights, and attacks on civilians in places meant to provide safety and refuge are unacceptable. »

El Fasher has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than 500 days, with severe restrictions on movement, access to food, water and medical care. Civilians, including many children, faced repeated bombings and deteriorating living conditions.

Several areas of North Darfur have been experiencing famine for months, and the food security and child nutrition situation in the state has reached catastrophic levels. Families survive on minimal rations and severe acute malnutrition among children is sharply increasing. Health facilities report that preventable child deaths linked to hunger and disease are increasing. Disruption of supply routes, looting of aid convoys and denial of humanitarian access have made sustained relief efforts almost impossible.

Following these attacks, UNICEF reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and lifting of the siege, safe passage for civilians fleeing violence, unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations, and accountability for those responsible for attacks on civilians.