Toronto, ON, October 9, 2025 – A long overdue moment of hope for children in Gaza.

Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Dr Unni Krishnan, Global Humanitarian Director, Plan International, has provided the following statement.

“This is a long overdue moment of hope for children in Gaza. For two years, the people of Gaza have endured relentless suffering. More than 67,000 people have been killed, including 20,000 children, with many more injured, missing or detained.

“Plan International welcomes this step. We hope it will be followed by a permanent and sustainable ceasefire that allows Gaza’s children to live, heal and dream again, and offers the Palestinian people their full rights in compliance with UN General Assembly and UN Security Council resolutions.

“A ceasefire will stop the bombs and missiles, but the humanitarian need in Gaza today is immense. Without urgent lifesaving aid and access, people will continue to die from hunger, dehydration, and lack of medical care. Saving lives means more than silence on the battlefield – it means urgently scaling up humanitarian relief now.

“It is vital that the UN and trusted humanitarian agencies are now given immediate and unconditional access allowing critical supplies to enter Gaza at scale. We need border crossings opened without delay or conditions as the current trickle of trucks is nowhere near enough to match the scale of this emergency.

“Children in Gaza have heard too many broken promises. The collapse of past ceasefires has only deepened their fear and eroded trust. World leaders must not fail them again. Only a permanent ceasefire can protect this generation and pave the way for lasting peace. “Plan International and our partners are ready to expand our humanitarian operations, but we need full, unhindered access for humanitarian workers and supplies. We hope the ceasefire represents the beginning of a phase of intense and lasting support and justice for the people of Gaza.”

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

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