Simon Eccleshall: Doctors Without Borders Head of Programmes on the need for aid and a ceasefire in Gaza

A humanitarian worker says a ceasefire in Gaza is desperately needed, with negotiations reaching the final stages. 

The conflict has killed more than 46-thousand people in the region since the wars began with the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. 

CNN reports the agreement would see a phased release of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 

Doctors Without Borders Head of Programmes Simon Eccleshall told Tim Beveridge it'd mean aid can reach those who desperately need it. 

He says before the crisis 500 trucks and supplies flowed into the area every day, but now there's a fraction of that. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:09):
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Speaker 2 (00:16):
Israel and Hamas could be a look like they're on
the verge of a ceasefi, with details of a comprehensive
agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha. But it's thought
that it will see around thirty three hostages released by Hamas,
as well as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jailes.
Israel's Foreign minister is sounding optimistic.

Speaker 3 (00:38):
Israel is deeply committed to securing the release and is
working relentlessly to reach an agreement. We will soon see
whether the other side is genuinely interested in reaching an agreement.
I hope we will witness progress in the very near future.

Speaker 2 (00:59):
And joining me now is Simon Ekeleshaw from Doctors Without Borders.

Speaker 4 (01:02):
Good morning, Good morning Tim.

Speaker 2 (01:05):
How desperately is this ceasefi needed?

Speaker 4 (01:09):
A ceasefire is desperately needed to end the immediate threats
to life for people living in Gaza. We need the
ceasefire to enable sufficient aid to be able to get
in and to, as you mentioned, facilitate the end to
this horrific hostage crisis. Fifteen months of the most terrific
suffering that we've imagined.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
Only thirty three hostages being released. It sounds like they're
keeping something up their sleeve, doesn't it. But we're still
yet to hear the details. What's your reaction to that?

Speaker 4 (01:39):
Yes, correct, I mean we understand these ceasefire agreements have
been going on quite intensely since mid December, and it
seems that the deal includes a phased release of hostages
as well as the phased withdrawal of some Israeli troops
and importantly, the movement of Gazans from areas in the

(02:00):
south where they're currently congregated back to some of their
homes in the central and northern parts of Gaza. So
it's very much a longer process rather than a quick
military pause or a short term ceasefire. So we're optimistic
that what is being negotiated is something of a more

(02:21):
durable or a more permanent cease fire that will enable
the fighting to end and enable humanitarian aid to get in.

Speaker 2 (02:29):
How quickly do you think you'd be able to get
the aid and that you need.

Speaker 4 (02:34):
Well, that really depends on how the implementation of the
seas fire agreement is phased out. The reality for us
to day tim is that only a tiny fraction of
the aid that is required in Gaza is getting in.
Before the crisis, around five hundred trucks a day we're
crossing at border points bringing in essential supplies like food, water,

(02:56):
fuel for running generators, and medical supplies. Over the last
few months, we've seen a very small fraction of that,
sometimes fifty up to ninety trucks being able to get
the end of the day, which again is only the
tip of the iceberg in terms of the humanitarian needs.
We would hope the seasfire would immediately alleviate some of

(03:17):
that problem, enable us to get in much needed aid
within a matter of days. But that's really going to
be the proof of the rhetoric here, whether or not
we see a change in the reality on the ground,
whether the ceasefire is really respected by your parties, and
whether Ghazans generally have better access to those essential supplies.

Speaker 2 (03:39):
Excellent, Hey, thanks for your time, Simon. I really appreciate that.
Simon nic or Shaw from Doctors Without Borders for.

Speaker 1 (03:44):
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