UNFPA welcomes the news of the deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. This is a vitally important breakthrough for the women, girls and their families in Gaza who have experienced the horrors of 15 months of war and devastation, and for the hostages in Gaza and their families in Israel and around the world who have suffered so much.

The news of the ceasefire brings some hope for the 1 million women and girls who have lived under bombardment, without safety, in Gaza for the last 470 days. Fewer than half of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are still functioning, depriving women and girls, including an estimated 150,000 pregnant women and new mothers, of access to critical healthcare. They have also lost homes and loved ones, and lack the very basics to survive – food, water, adequate shelter and protection.

Curfews, and longstanding and stepped-up movement restrictions, in the West Bank have also impacted people’s livelihoods and prevented them from reaching schools, work, family and health facilities – including the 73,000 women who are currently pregnant.

The ceasefire is an opportunity to alleviate the suffering of women and girls in Gaza. UNFPA will use this moment to scale up its humanitarian response and has trucks of life-saving reproductive health medicines, hygiene items and postpartum supplies on standby ready to enter Gaza, to reach women and girls who need them.

Updated 20 January 2025