As people in Gaza and Israel celebrated the announcement of a deal that could hasten the end of the two-year war, U.N. aid teams insisted Thursday they were ready to provide large-scale humanitarian relief in the destroyed enclave. We will cover all news developments within the United Nations system throughout the day. UN News app users can follow live coverage here.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
“There is a very positive, jubilant mood in Gaza this morning and there was overnight,” said Olga Cherevko from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. “There were people whistling and partying and celebrating.”
Speaking to UN News from the devastated enclave, Ms. Cherevko stressed that immediate humanitarian priorities remain unchanged: “to reach the most vulnerable with the assistance that we need to be entering now at adequate volumes and to be able to deliver it to the people in need…Obviously no amount of humanitarian aid will ever be able to take the place of peace. So, this deal is more important than ever.”
UN humanitarians have some 170,000 metric tons of food, shelter, medicine and other critical items waiting in storage outside Gaza.
These can be loaded onto trucks and enter the Strip as soon as a ceasefire is implemented, the aid worker explained, adding that fighting had not stopped on Thursday morning.
“We are looking forward to seeing what our role will be down the line and how to quickly and efficiently get this aid to the people now who of course need it desperately.”
The development follows the announcement by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening that Israel and Hamas had “signed off” on the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, following days of intensive indirect negotiations in Egypt.
President Trump published the news on social media that Hamas had agreed to release all hostages, later adding that that this could happen on Monday.
His comments came at the end of a third day of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt, where in addition to US mediators, representatives from Qatar and Turkey also steered the talks.
During the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel that triggered the war on 7 October 2025, 251 people were taken hostage. Reports indicate that 48 of them are still being held in Gaza and around 20 are still alive.
Other elements of the reported deal include the withdrawal of Israeli military forces to “an agreed upon line”, Mr. Trump noted.
In reportedly confirming the deal, Hamas political leaders called on the international community to ensure that Israel abides by its terms, which include the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a “great day for Israel”, ahead of a meeting of his security cabinet on Thursday afternoon to approve the first phase of the deal – including an immediate ceasefire which would begin immediately, according to news reports.
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J. Trump,” said UN chief António Guterres in a statement.
Echoing those comments and welcoming the development, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher echo issuing an appeal to “get the hostages out and surge aid in – fast”.
He added: “Our teams are fully mobilised to get the trucks moving at scale and save lives. They need safe access.”
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, described the “huge relief” felt by all those impacted by the war, which has killed tens of thousands of Gazans, in addition to the nearly 1,200 Israelis murdered by Hamas in their unprecedented attack across southern Israel two years ago.
“The agreement to finally secure a ceasefire in #Gaza and release the hostages is a huge relief,” Mr. Lazzarini said in an online post. “It will bring respite to people who survived the worst bombardment, displacement, loss and grief for two long years. After their excruciating ordeal, hostages and Palestinian detainees will finally join their families.”
Also welcoming the announcement of a deal, head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the still “dire” needs of patients across Gaza and said that the agency “stands ready to scale up its work…to support rehabilitation of the destroyed health system”.
From the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Executive Director Cindy McCain supported the UN chief’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the need to “move NOW” to get aid in.
“Unrestricted humanitarian access is urgently needed to deliver life-saving food & assistance,” she said. “WFP is on the ground and ready to scale up operations, but we need to move NOW – there is no time to waste.”
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“There is a very positive and jubilant atmosphere in Gaza this morning and this has been the case all night. » said Olga Cherevko of the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. “There were people whistling, partying and celebrating.”
Talk to UN News from the devastated enclave, Ms. Cherevko stressed that the immediate humanitarian priorities remain unchanged: “reaching the most vulnerable with the aid we need now in adequate volumes and being able to provide it to those in need… Obviously no humanitarian aid can ever replace peace. This agreement is therefore more important than ever.
UN aid workers have around 170,000 tonnes of food, shelter, medicine and other essential items waiting outside Gaza.
These can be loaded onto trucks and entered the Gaza Strip as soon as a ceasefire is implemented, the aid worker explained, adding that fighting had not stopped as of Thursday morning.
“We look forward to seeing what our role will be in the future and how to get this help quickly and efficiently to people who of course desperately need it.” »
The development follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday evening that Israel and Hamas had “signed” the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, following days of intense indirect negotiations in Egypt.
President Trump announced on social media that Hamas had agreed to release all the hostages, later adding that this could happen on Monday.
His comments came at the end of a third day of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt, where in addition to American mediators, representatives from Qatar and Turkey also led the negotiations.
During the Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel that started the war on October 7, 2025, 251 people were taken hostage. Reports indicate that 48 of them are still detained in Gaza and around 20 are still alive.
Other elements of the announced agreement include the withdrawal of Israeli military forces to “an agreed line,” Mr. Trump noted.
In confirming the agreement, Hamas political leaders called on the international community to ensure that Israel respects its terms, which include the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a “great day for Israel,” ahead of a meeting of his security cabinet Thursday afternoon to approve the first phase of the deal – including an immediate ceasefire that would begin immediately, according to media reports.
“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J. Trump,” the UN chief said. Antonio Guterres in a statement.
Echoing these comments and welcoming the development, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher echoed his call to “get the hostages out and scale up aid – quickly”.
He added: “Our teams are fully mobilized to move trucks on a large scale and save lives. They need safe access.”
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations agency for the Palestinians, UNRWAdescribed the “tremendous relief” felt by all those affected by the war, which has killed tens of thousands of Gazans, in addition to the nearly 1,200 Israelis murdered by Hamas during its unprecedented attack in southern Israel two years ago.
“The agreement aimed at finally obtaining a ceasefire in #Gaza and freeing the hostages is a huge relief“, Mr Lazzarini said in an online message. “This will bring respite to people who have survived the worst bombings, displacement, loss and heartbreak for two long years. After their terrible ordeal, the Palestinian hostages and detainees will finally reunite with their families. »
Also welcoming the announcement of a deal, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the still “urgent” needs of patients across Gaza and said that the agency “is ready to intensify its work…to support the rehabilitation of the destroyed health system.”
From the United Nations World Food Program (PAM), Executive Director Cindy McCain supported The UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and stressed the need to “act NOW” to deliver aid.
“Unrestricted humanitarian access is urgently needed to provide life-saving food and assistance,” she said. “WFP is on the ground and ready to scale up operations, but we must act NOW – there is no time to lose.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
KINGNEWSWIRE / Press release / In a record-breaking edition of the Stralugano Marathon, volunteers from the Dico No alla Droga association, inspired by the humanitarian teachings of L. Ron Hubbard and supported by the Church of Scientology, joined thousands of runners to promote healthy living and drug-free values. Their participation in the Run 4 Charity section transformed sport into a message of prevention and social responsibility, highlighting how community action and education can help build a safer and more resilient Europe.
Lugano, Switzerland. THE Stralugano This year’s event, one of Switzerland’s most popular sporting events, reached a record number of participants, bringing together thousands of runners from across the region under the banner of community spirit and personal success. Among the participants was the humanitarian association Dictionary No alla Drugwho took part in the section Run 4 Charity in order to reaffirm a message that resonates deeply in today’s society: sport and positive values are powerful alternatives to drug consumption.
The group, made up of volunteers, friends and supporters, joined the event to show that prevention and awareness can also be achieved through action, unity and enthusiasm. “We invited our members, friends and supporters to run with us, a symbolic but meaningful gesture to highlight our message,” said Dico No alla Droga representatives. “We believe that sport offers a real and constructive alternative to the intoxication provided by drugs, by promoting health, energy and solidarity. »
Among the runners was Simone Leoan internationally renowned ultra-marathon runner known for combining endurance and determination. “Running gives people a natural, lasting feeling of accomplishment,” he said. “When you push your limits and cross the finish line, the reward is real. This is something that no drug can ever replace. »
Dico No alla Droga (Say no to drugs) is part of the Foundation for a Drug-Free Worldan international non-profit organization supported by members of theChurch of Scientology. Based on the humanitarian principles set out by L. Ron Hubbardthe Church’s social campaigns are rooted in the belief that education, not repression, is the most effective form of prevention.
Mr. Hubbard wrote that “the most destructive element present in our culture today is drugs,” emphasizing that it is only through accurate information that people can make informed and positive choices. Following this principle, the campaign provides free educational materials, brochures and audiovisual resources to schools, youth groups and public institutions. Volunteers organize information stands, conferences and events like this, inspiring people to choose life, health and responsibility.
Across Europe, thousands of volunteers have joined this movement in more than 100 European groups, often combining their personal passions — from athletics to the arts — with public awareness initiatives. In doing so, they illustrate a key idea behind the campaign: personal discipline and self-respect, encouraged through activities such as sport, are natural shields against addiction and despair.
The participation of Dico No alla Droga in the Stralugano is more than a gesture of solidarity; it reflects a proactive model of prevention that engages rather than isolates. By bringing together families, athletes and citizens around a common cause, such initiatives strengthen community ties while giving visibility to a message of hope and empowerment.
The group’s local coordinator explained: “Our goal is not to moralize, but to inform. We want young people to understand the real effects of drugs and to know that they have a choice, a choice that leads to a better and freer life. »
Events like the Stralugano offer a visible and positive framework for this message to take root, where the spirit of competition mixes with compassion and civic responsibility.
Ivan Arjona-Pelado, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, welcomed this initiative, stating:
“What we see in Lugano is not just a local campaign, but a reflection of a broader European principle: human dignity is enhanced when people are empowered through knowledge and determination. Church of Scientology volunteers show that prevention, education and community engagement can transform lives in powerful ways. This is the essence of social responsibility in action. »
Created under the inspiration of L. Ron Hubbard and supported by the ecclesiastical leader of Scientology, Mr. David Miscavigewith a visionary drive to raise standards to a cutting-edge level of excellence, the “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” campaign has reached hundreds of millions of people across more than 180 countries. Through its educational brochures, translated into dozens of languages, and the widely distributed “The Truth About Drugs” series, the campaign provides young people with factual information about the short- and long-term effects of the most commonly abused substances. The program has received support from educators, law enforcement professionals and community leaders for its effective, non-confrontational approach to prevention.
L’Church of Scientologyfounded by L. Ron Hubbardis dedicated to the betterment of humanity through education, ethics and humanitarian action. Across the European continent, Churches of Scientology, missions and affiliated groups conduct a wide range of community programs covering human rights education, substance abuse prevention, moral literacy and disaster relief. His recognition as charitable and authentic religion continues to grow throughout Europenational courts and public institutions recognizing the social contribution and commitment of the Church to civic values.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
