Fragile calm returns to Gaza.

Speaking at the UN Headquarters, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had on January 15 praised Egypt, Qatar, and the US for brokering a ceasefire agreement.

Continued from Page 1 He emphasised the need to ease suffering and ensure the release of all hostages. Guterres called for removing barriers to aid delivery in Gaza, warning of a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis. The UN pledged to support the deal's implementation and scale up relief efforts, highlighting the urgency of lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

The war's toll on Gaza has been catastrophic. According to the territory's Health Ministry, over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, with women and children making up more than half the fatalities. Many rights groups believe the actual death toll is even higher. In addition, 110,265 people have been injured, with nearly 22,500 suffering life-altering injuries requiring rehabilitation. The United Nations estimates that over 4,500 amputations have occurred, often conducted with little or no anaesthesia due to the blockade of medical supplies.

A UN Special Committee investigating Israeli practices, in November last year, accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, citing mass civilian casualties, deliberate deprivation of life-sustaining necessities, and targeted attacks.