Gaza ceasefire ‘exists in name only’, more than 100 NGOs say

What is a ceasefire, and what does it normally require from the parties involved?

A ceasefire is an agreement to pause or end armed attacks. It matters because civilians need immediate safety, while aid workers need reliable access to deliver food, medicine and shelter. A written deal is only meaningful if the parties follow it in practice.

Normally, the parties must stop offensive operations and respect any agreed lines or buffer zones. They may also need to release people, permit aid deliveries, protect civilians and report suspected violations. The article describes a framework involving a so-called Yellow Line and restrictions on aid and rebuilding materials.

The Gaza case shows the difference between an agreement and its implementation. The ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025, but the article reports continued killings, shelling, injuries and restrictions. More than 100 organisations therefore say it exists only in name. Effective ceasefires require compliance, monitoring and consequences when parties break their commitments.

How many Palestinians have reportedly been killed or injured since the October 2025 ceasefire, and how large is the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza?

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, the article reports at least 1,471 Palestinians killed and 5,189 injured. Those figures show that the agreement has not provided reliable protection. They sit within a much larger humanitarian disaster caused by three years of attacks and destruction across Gaza.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports at least 74,254 Palestinians killed and 175,000 wounded during the wider war, while another figure identifies at least 21,000 children among those killed. Almost 2 million people need shelter, and 80 percent of structures are damaged. None of Gaza’s 36 hospitals is operating at full capacity.

The crisis also includes hunger and urgent medical needs. About 1.4 million people face crisis-level hunger or worse through the end of the year. More than 18,500 patients need evacuation, including at least 4,000 children, and over 1,000 reportedly died waiting. These figures indicate needs far beyond a temporary pause in fighting.

Why do more than 100 NGOs say the ceasefire exists only in name?

More than 100 humanitarian, human rights and civil society organisations say the ceasefire exists only in name because violence and deprivation continue. Their core point is practical: a ceasefire should protect civilians and create conditions for recovery, not merely remain written on paper.

The organisations report that Israeli forces have killed at least 1,471 Palestinians and injured 5,189 since the agreement took effect. They also describe live fire, artillery shelling, air strikes and tank fire in several Gaza areas. At the same time, restrictions limit aid, medical equipment, fuel, construction materials and other supplies.

The result is a ceasefire without normal civilian safety or reconstruction. The NGOs say Israel has also arbitrarily moved the Yellow Line, squeezing Palestinians into a more crowded area. Hospitals remain overwhelmed, hunger is widespread and families cannot rebuild. Their criticism is that continued attacks and restrictions undermine every practical purpose of the agreement.

What happens to civilians when attacks continue while aid, medical supplies, fuel and rebuilding materials are restricted?

When attacks continue alongside restrictions, civilians face harm on several fronts at once. People can be killed or wounded, lose homes and be unable to reach treatment. Aid restrictions then prevent families from receiving food, shelter and medical care, while blocked rebuilding materials keep displacement and insecurity going.

The article gives a stark example. None of Gaza’s 36 hospitals is operating at full capacity, and supplies of medicine, equipment and fuel are dwindling. More than 18,500 patients need medical evacuation, including at least 4,000 children. More than 1,000 patients have reportedly died while waiting. Around 24 percent of wounded people are estimated to have life-changing injuries.

The effects spread beyond hospitals. Almost 2 million people need shelter, 80 percent of structures are damaged and 1.4 million face crisis-level hunger or worse. Without safety and access, emergency needs become long-term damage. Recovery remains blocked even when active fighting is described as paused.

Who are the main actors in this ceasefire framework, and what roles do Israel, Palestinian authorities, the United States and humanitarian organisations play?

The framework described in the article includes Israel, Palestinians, the United States and international civil society groups. Israel is the party whose forces are reported to conduct attacks, control areas and restrict aid or rebuilding materials. Palestinian authorities are represented in the article mainly through the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which reports deaths, injuries and medical needs.

The United States backed the ceasefire, and President Trump announced the deal as part of the Gaza Board of Peace framework. Humanitarian and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, Save the Children, Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, document harm, explain humanitarian needs and press for accountability.

The article does not describe a separate operational role for Palestinian authorities in enforcing the ceasefire. Instead, it shows Palestinian institutions recording the crisis while NGOs call for compliance and protection. The framework’s future therefore depends on whether Israeli forces stop attacks, restrictions ease, humanitarian access improves and outside actors secure meaningful accountability.

What mechanisms are supposed to monitor a ceasefire and enforce violations, and why can a ceasefire agreement fail to stop violence on the ground?

A ceasefire normally needs practical systems behind its promises. These can include agreed boundaries, independent monitors, incident reporting, verification teams, regular meetings and clear procedures for resolving disputes. Diplomatic pressure, sanctions or legal action may provide consequences when a party violates the agreement. The article specifically mentions the Yellow Line and the International Court of Justice’s binding orders, but not a detailed monitoring system.

The Gaza framework shows why written terms may not stop violence. The article reports Israeli attacks, movement of the Yellow Line, restrictions on aid and rebuilding materials, and continued civilian deaths after October 10, 2025. Without trusted verification and rapid consequences, each side may dispute facts or continue actions despite the agreement.

A ceasefire can therefore fail on the ground even when leaders announce it. Monitoring must be independent enough to establish what happened, and enforcement must be strong enough to change behaviour. The NGOs’ statement suggests that continued attacks and weak accountability have left the agreement largely ineffective for civilians.

What are international humanitarian law and the International Court of Justice, and how can their rules and orders affect the conduct of war?

International humanitarian law is the body of rules governing conduct during armed conflict. It seeks to protect civilians and others not taking part in fighting, and to limit how force is used. The International Court of Justice is a United Nations court that decides legal disputes between states and can issue orders to parties in a case.

These rules and orders can shape military conduct by requiring parties to respect civilian protections and other legal obligations. The article does not list particular legal provisions, but Agnes Callamard says Israel has failed to comply with the International Court of Justice’s binding orders. She argues that accountability is needed to stop atrocity crimes.

Their effect depends on implementation. States must follow applicable law, while governments and international actors can press for compliance through diplomacy, investigations and other consequences. The article’s central concern is that persistent failure to hold Israel accountable allows alleged violations to continue. Legal rules matter most when parties obey them and violations produce consequences.

Key Facts:

📌 A ceasefire is an agreement to pause or end fighting.

📌 Parties must stop attacks and respect agreed arrangements.

📌 Gaza’s reported ceasefire has not ended violence.

📌 At least 1,471 Palestinians were killed after the October 2025 ceasefire.

📌 Another 5,189 Palestinians were injured during that period.

📌 Almost 2 million people need shelter in Gaza.

📌 NGOs report continued Israeli killings and injuries after the ceasefire.