Ceasefire in Gaza: Understanding the Gaza Peace Deal and What Lies Ahead

“Out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train. Oh, peace train take this country, come take me home again.” - Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens.  

The Moment We’ve All Waited For 

The world has been eagerly awaiting this moment. Finally, after two long years of watching violence and tragedy in Gaza unfold, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

A ceasefire with Israel was announced today. 

Pressure on Israel from the U.S.A., Arab countries, and Türkiye has led us to this point. There has been an agreement to release hostages, as well as a slow withdrawal of troops from the Gaza Strip. 

That being said, many Palestinians are reluctant to rejoice just yet as they fear violence may resurge at any point. 

Mixed Emotions and Uncertainty in the Gaza Strip 

Reporter Abu Azzoum from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza said families celebrated upon hearing about the ceasefire. However, after two years of displacement and devastation, many are skeptical.  

Donald Trump, on the other hand, is convinced that the ceasefire will last, saying, “It will be a strong, durable, everlasting peace.” 

The peace train has left the station, but the tracks ahead remain uncertain. 

There are still so many unanswered questions. Mainly, how will Gaza repair and rebuild after so much destruction? Who will govern, and how will a government be implemented? 

One thing is for sure: Gaza will need a tremendous amount of help not to rebuild what is gone but to create something new, informed by the past and alive with Palestinian culture.  

Building From the Ground Up 

Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) has been working in Gaza for over three decades. In the last two years, our experience has only helped us navigate incredibly challenging situations.  

Our local knowledge, connections to other organizations and government bodies, and democratic approach allowed us to help 1.3 million people within Gaza during this difficult time. To date, we have been able to deliver: 

• Over 397,000 food baskets, 141,000 hot meals, and 359,000 flour bags to combat hunger and malnutrition.  

  
  

• 13 million liters of clean water, 70,000 hygiene kits, and freshwater truck deliveries to support public health and sanitation.  

  
  

• 29,000 tents and winterized shelters, 7,000 solar panels, and 2,600 blankets to assist displaced families.  

  
  

• Educational support through learning tents, school supplies, and children’s activities to restore a sense of normalcy for youth.  

  
  

• Medical relief through 15 trucks of medicine and medical equipment was delivered with partners to hospitals and clinics. 

Moving Forward 

LIFE has a vision of how we can best facilitate putting lives back together in Gaza. This includes both a short-term and a long-term approach. 

LIFE’s Short-Term Response Immediately Following a Ceasefire 

LIFE is now gearing up to focus on getting urgent help to people as quickly as possible. Our teams are planning the delivery of mass amounts of food, clean water, and medical care now that the borders are open.  

This aid will support families and children who have been extremely deprived, focusing on the most vulnerable groups first. Our short-term objectives include:  

1. Rapid Response & Aid Delivery  

   -Send aid convoys to areas that were previously hard to reach. 

   -Deliver food, water, and medical supplies to families in need. 

   -Deploy medical teams to restock hospitals and treat the injured.  
   

2. Support for Families & Children  

   -Provide counseling and emotional support for children and families affected by the conflict in Gaza. 

   -Continue to support orphans in LIFE’s Orphan Sponsorship program and increase the number sponsored.   
   

3. Quick Assessments  

   -Identify where displaced families are located. 

   -Assess damage to homes, roads, and essential infrastructure. 

   -Work to restore electricity, sanitation, and basic water systems.

4. Rebuilding & Stability  

   -Expand and support temporary schools and shelters. 

   -Help children return to school safely. 

Long-Term Recovery and Rebuilding After Gaza Peace Deal 

After the emergency phase, LIFE will begin working to rebuild communities and support long-term recovery. We will focus on helping families regain stability, restoring essential services, and creating opportunities for the future. Our long-term objectives include: 

1. Shift from Relief to Recovery  

-Move from emergency aid to rebuilding homes, schools, and hospitals. 

-Strengthen local infrastructure to support long-term growth.  

2. Restoring Livelihoods  

   -Create job training and small business programs. 

   -Support farmers and agricultural recovery. 

   -Help communities become self-sufficient again. 

3. Strengthening Essential Systems  

   -Rebuild healthcare and expand access to medical care. 

   -Improve education for children and youth by rebuilding permanent school structures. 

   -Invest in clean water and sanitation systems.   

4. Rebuilding Hope & Resilience  

   -Offer youth and mental health programs. 

   -Support peacebuilding and community healing. 

Culturally Informed Development 

Throughout history, international actors have often entered nations shattered by war or corruption with good intentions but misguided methods. Many come with ready-made solutions, systems, policies, and structures borrowed from their own countries, believing they can rebuild others in the same mold.  

However, societies are not blueprints. Each has its own history, customs, and social fabric, and when foreign models are imposed without regard for these, they rarely endure. Real progress must grow from the ground up, rooted in the culture, values, and lived experiences of the people themselves. 

Bridging the Divide 

Communities don’t need rescuing; they need justice and tools to rebuild. By respecting local knowledge and empowering people to lead their own recovery, LIFE helps ensure that relief efforts strengthen the social fabric that binds communities together.   

 

What Does Peace Mean for Gaza? 

Peace in Gaza is more than the absence of bombs, more than a temporary halt in Gaza deaths, or another fleeting headline under Gaza news or Gaza Strip news.

True peace means children can go to school again, play freely in their yards without fear, and families can finally sleep safely within four solid walls. It means access to clean water and healthy food without the looming threat of starvation. It’s a life where people can dream and thrive alongside their loved ones. No longer trapped in the prison of restriction and fear, but instead, free to live with dignity, stability, and hope for the future. 

A Chance to Help at Last 

 

For months, many of us watched in heartbreak, seeing children suffer, feeling powerless as aid was blocked, delayed, or destroyed. Now, for the first time, aid is moving freely and easily. This is our moment to make an incredible difference. 

Join us in rebuilding Gaza. The need is immense, but so is our collective compassion. Every act of kindness helps bring hope and healing to families who have lost so much.

You can help by donating and spreading the word. 

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