Ceasefire or capitulation? UN faces criticism over Gaza appeals

On Monday, the heads of six United Nations agencies issued a joint statement urging the urgent renewal of a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the collapse of humanitarian access and the devastating impact on civilians. 

The signatories include leaders of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Food Programme.

The agencies warned that Gaza is facing catastrophic conditions. “More than 2.1 million people are trapped, bombed and starved again, while, at crossing points, food, medicine, fuel and shelter supplies are piling up, and vital equipment is stuck,” the statement said.

No aid has reached Gaza since Israel sealed the entry of humanitarian convoys on March 2. This came as negotiations stalled over a renewed truce and the release of hostages still held by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, and by Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

However, critics argue that the U.N. agencies are missing the root of the crisis. “Before calling for another ceasefire, the U.N. should first demand the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” said one diplomatic source familiar with the region. 

“These are internationally recognized terrorist organizations. Their unconditional surrender and the disarmament of their networks would be the real path to ending the war and restoring hope to both Palestinians and Israelis.”

The war was initially sparked by the brutal Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 people were killed and hundreds taken hostage.

For many observers, a ceasefire without addressing the status of hostages and the dismantling of armed terror groups risks prolonging the crisis. 

As the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, the path forward remains fraught — not only with moral urgency but also with the hard realities of security and justice.