Saleem Oweis, a spokesman for Unicef based in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, says that six weeks after the Gaza truce began, the humanitarian situation is still extremely dire.

“Thankfully, children and families are safe from the bombardment at this time. Children are still suffering from the outcomes of the continued violence for 16 months,” Oweis told Al Jazeera.

He noted seven children in Gaza have died from hypothermia because of the cold weather and lack of proper shelter as Israel has failed to adhere to its ceasefire pledge to allow temporary homes, tents and tarpaulins into the Strip.

“The needs are tremendous: shelter, food, clean water, which is still not available for many. Ramadan is here, and it’s even more important for families to find the nutritious food they need to sustain themselves.

“Although the ceasefire allowed for more goods in the markets, it’s too expensive for most who have been cut out of any income for the past 16 months. We need to just open the doors and get all the aid that is necessary without any restrictions.”

Opinion

Editorial

A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...
Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...