The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) issued an urgent plea for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, marking two years since the onset of a devastating war that has left the region in ruins. The agency’s call, amplified through posts on the social media platform X, underscores the dire humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Gaza, where over 67,100 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have been killed since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. The relentless Israeli military campaign has not only caused catastrophic loss of life but has also rendered the enclave nearly uninhabitable, fueling mass displacement, starvation, and the spread of disease.
In its statement, UNRWA emphasized the urgent need to end the violence, declaring, “Two years of war in Gaza. Two years too long.” The agency called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, alongside the lifting of Israel’s blockade to allow a consistent flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into Gaza. This, UNRWA argued, should be facilitated through a United Nations mechanism to ensure effective delivery and distribution. The agency concluded its appeal with a resolute demand: “It’s time for a ceasefire now.”
The war, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has spiraled into one of the deadliest conflicts in the region’s history. Israel’s response, characterized by intense airstrikes, ground operations, and a stringent blockade, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure and displaced nearly its entire population of 2.3 million people. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, hospitals have been overwhelmed or destroyed, and access to basic necessities like food, clean water, and medical supplies has been severely restricted. The blockade, which Israel maintains is necessary for security reasons, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions on the brink of famine and vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 67,100, with women and children making up the majority of casualties. The relentless bombardment has left no corner of the enclave untouched, with residential areas, schools, and even designated safe zones repeatedly targeted. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that Gaza is facing an unprecedented crisis, with the collapse of its healthcare system and a lack of adequate shelter for displaced families compounding the suffering. Reports indicate that over 1.9 million people—roughly 85% of Gaza’s population—have been internally displaced, many living in overcrowded tent camps or makeshift shelters with limited access to sanitation or food.
The war has also taken a significant toll on children, who face not only the immediate dangers of violence but also long-term psychological and physical trauma. Schools have been shuttered or destroyed, depriving an entire generation of education, while malnutrition has become widespread due to the scarcity of food supplies. Polio and other preventable diseases have resurged in Gaza, with the World Health Organization reporting outbreaks linked to poor sanitation and lack of access to vaccines. UNRWA, which provides critical services such as education, healthcare, and social support to Palestinian refugees, has struggled to operate under the constraints of the ongoing conflict, with many of its facilities damaged or repurposed as shelters for the displaced.
On the diplomatic front, efforts to broker a ceasefire have gained renewed momentum. On Monday, October 6, 2025, delegations from Israel and Hamas began indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to discuss a 20-point plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The plan, which aims to de-escalate the conflict, calls for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza within 72 hours of Israel’s approval, a comprehensive ceasefire, and the disarmament of Hamas. While details of the negotiations remain limited, the talks represent a rare opportunity to halt the violence and address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. However, previous attempts at mediation have faltered due to deep mistrust between the parties and differing demands, with Hamas insisting on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the blockade, while Israel prioritizes the release of hostages and the neutralization of Hamas’s military capabilities.
The international community has faced mounting pressure to intervene and address the crisis. The United Nations, along with regional powers such as Egypt and Qatar, has been actively involved in mediation efforts, but progress has been slow. UNRWA’s latest appeal reflects growing frustration with the lack of tangible results and the worsening conditions on the ground. The agency has repeatedly called for unrestricted access to deliver aid, warning that without a ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade, the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate.
The war’s impact extends beyond Gaza, with regional ramifications that have heightened tensions across the Middle East. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group allied with Hamas, has engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire with Israel along the Israel-Lebanon border, raising fears of a broader conflict. The violence has also strained relations between Israel and other regional actors, including Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah. Internationally, the conflict has sparked widespread protests and debates, with many governments and civil society groups calling for accountability and an end to the violence.
For Palestinians in Gaza, the past two years have been marked by unimaginable loss and suffering. Families have been torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and hope for a better future diminished. UNRWA’s call for a ceasefire resonates with the aspirations of millions who yearn for an end to the bloodshed and a chance to rebuild their lives. However, achieving a lasting peace remains a formidable challenge, requiring not only an immediate halt to hostilities but also a commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the blockade, occupation, and decades-long grievances on both sides.
As the war enters its third year, the international community faces a critical juncture. The negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh offer a glimmer of hope, but their success hinges on the willingness of both Israel and Hamas to make concessions. For UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations, the priority remains clear: saving lives and alleviating suffering. The agency’s plea for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, and the restoration of aid flows underscores the urgency of the moment. Without decisive action, Gaza risks descending further into chaos, with consequences that will reverberate for generations.
The path forward is fraught with challenges, but the stakes could not be higher. A ceasefire, if achieved, could pave the way for humanitarian recovery and, potentially, a broader dialogue aimed at addressing the underlying issues fueling the conflict. For now, the people of Gaza continue to endure unimaginable hardship, caught in a cycle of violence that has already claimed too many lives. UNRWA’s call for peace is a reminder of the human cost of inaction and a rallying cry for the world to act swiftly to end the suffering in Gaza.
