World Vision: Gaza Peace Deal Offers Glimmer of Hope for a Generation of Children in Crisis
World Vision welcomes the announcement of a peace deal which paves the way to a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza, a crucial step toward healing for millions of children whose lives have been torn apart by two years of conflict.
“This peace deal, and crucially the ceasefire which will follow it, is a vital step in what must be a long and deliberate healing process for a generation of children who have endured unimaginable suffering,” said Eleanor Monbiot, World Vision’s regional leader for the Middle East and Eastern Europe. “We pray that the millions of children caught in the crossfire of this crisis will never again face the extreme deprivation and violence that has defined their daily lives for the past two years.”
A ceasefire alone is not enough. It must open the door to swift, large-scale humanitarian action. Children and families cut off from food, water, healthcare, and education need urgent support. All hostages from the horrific attacks two years ago must be immediately released, allowing families to be reunited with their loved ones.
“The lives of all children are sacred. Protecting every child and ensuring they have full access to humanitarian aid must be the highest priority,” Monbiot added. “This peace deal finally gives the international community an opportunity to act on that commitment. After such devastation and suffering, only a response of truly historic scale can begin to restore hope for children and their families.”
A response of that size requires immediate and unhindered access for humanitarian aid across Gaza and the West Bank. Those providing it must be able to move freely and swiftly to reach children and families who have endured months of deprivation. A huge investment will be needed to restore health care, education, and other essential services that have collapsed during the conflict. Children also need long-term support to heal from the emotional and psychological scars of war, with dedicated investments in safe spaces, counselling, and community-based recovery programmes.
“We pray that a whole generation of children in the region can now begin to heal,” said Monbiot. "But this is only the beginning — a remarkable need should prompt us to a momentous response if we are to truly make a difference for children.”