NEW YORK, October 10, 2025 (WAFA) – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the announcement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has generated a new hope for relief at last, and affirmed that the UN and partners are ready to scale up the humanitarian response in Gaza.

It said that within minutes of the announcement by Israeli authorities that the ceasefire had taken effect at noon local time, thousands of people resumed movement north – mainly on foot, but also in vehicles and animal-drawn carts.

During a press briefing in New York today, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric affirmed the need to open additional crossings, ensure safe movement for relief workers and all other civilians, allow the unrestricted entry of goods, issue visas for staff, and provide space for UN and NGO partners to operate in line with humanitarian principles, in order for the Organization to implement its humanitarian plan outlined by Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.

Dujarric affirmed that, after two years of war, there is an urgent need to rehabilitate infrastructure to enable recovery, noting that the private sector also plays a vital role. He called on all leaders supporting the ceasefire to assist the United Nations in creating the conditions necessary for the unhindered implementation of humanitarian operations and to contribute generously to supporting the response.

Fletcher had explained that the United Nations has 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine, shelter and other desperately needed supplies poised to enter Gaza from across the region.

Humanitarian teams in Gaza yesterday collected essential supplies, including fuel, from the Karem Abu Salem crossing, where they also unloaded incoming shipments to replenish stocks that will be distributed in the coming days, according to the UN spokesperson.

Dujarric also stated that the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, held separate telephone conversations today with the Prime Minister of Qatar, the President of Egypt, and the King of Jordan to discuss the situation on the ground and the implementation of the ceasefire plan.

During the discussions, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations’ full support for the implementation of the plan, particularly the mobilization of all available capacities to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

T.R.