Nearly four months after a fragile ceasefire brokered by the US, most people are still crammed into temporary shelters, with barely any money coming in, and constantly scrambling for basic things like food and water.

On a recent Friday in the Muwasi tent camp in southern Gaza, a crowd gathered with their plastic bottles and jerrycans, waiting to fill up on drinking water.

They often have to trek long distances daily to get clean water, then carefully portion it out until the next delivery truck shows up.

“It takes three to four hours to get 100 liters of water. The struggle for water is incredibly tough,” said Mohamed Abu Rabie, who was forced out of Rafah.

As kids and grown-ups line up patiently for their turn, he expressed hope that water trucks could be stationed closer to their tents.

Many folks perched on their jerrycans for a quick rest before hauling the heavy loads back through the exhausting walk to their shelters.

“Before the war, Muwasi was just desert land. It lacked any essentials,” said Saddam Naji, who walked over two kilometers for water. “There’s no way to get around easily. We’re worn out.”

In other parts of Muwasi, people swarm around a makeshift charity kitchen, clutching pots and plastic bags, desperate for a bit of rice.

While a few shops and markets have popped up with limited stock, most can’t afford to buy anything.

Tamara al-Masry, displaced from Beit Hanoun, described how bad things are.

“They can’t afford it. They come to the charity kitchens, and there’s famine. There’s food, but people can’t buy it. There’s no income. I have no income,” she said.

Even with the ceasefire in place, only tiny amounts of aid are making it into Gaza, and with occasional strikes still happening, everyone’s on edge that full-scale fighting could erupt again.

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Israeli officials said the new guidelines are aimed at preventing the diversion of humanitarian aid and ensuring that nonprofit activities are not exploited by militant groups.

Authorities said organisations were required to meet stricter transparency and oversight standards, including detailed reporting on funding sources, personnel and project implementation.

officials added that the barred organisations failed to comply with the updated requirements or raised security concerns during vetting processes. Humanitarian groups have expressed concern that the decision could further complicate aid delivery in Gaza and the West Bank, particularly amid ongoing humanitarian challenges. Israeli officials said humanitarian assistance would continue through approved channels and organisations that meet the new standards.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of aid operations following allegations in recent years that some humanitarian resources were misused by armed groups. Israel said the guidelines are part of broader efforts to balance humanitarian access with national security considerations. The affected organisations have not yet publicly responded to the decision, and it remains unclear whether appeals or reviews will be permitted.

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I fully support calls for the South African government to take stronger and more decisive action to rescue and protect the women, children, and all civilians affected by this brutal conflict. Their right to safety, dignity, and life itself is non-negotiable. South Africa must act with courage, urgency, and unwavering moral clarity.

I salute the extraordinary work of Gift of the Givers under Dr Imtiaz Sooliman. Their compassion, tireless effort, and bravery in the face of human suffering are a beacon of hope in a world that too often turns a blind eye. Those who are able to donate or assist Gift of the Givers must do so. Every contribution brings warmth, relief, and life-saving support to people who have lost everything.

We must also remember the historic solidarity of the Palestinian people with our own struggle. During the darkest days of apartheid, Yasser Arafat, as leader of the PLO, stood with South Africa, offering support and guidance when the oppressors sought to crush our people. He also guided Nelson Mandela on the importance of standing with the Palestinian people, teaching us that the fight for justice and humanity knows no borders.

The legacy of Nelson Mandela reminds us that silence in the face of oppression is betrayal. We must act now, with heart and courage, to ensure that those fleeing war are given safety, dignity, and hope. South Africa must continue to lead by example, offering sanctuary and practical support to those in desperate need.

The children of Gaza are crying out for help. The women are seeking shelter from bombs. They are not alone. We stand with Palestine. We stand with the refugees. We stand for justice and humanity.

Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela

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One of the residents, Fatuma Mussa Rukundo, described the scene with heartbreak.

“Everything is destroyed. Our houses, businesses, food, clothes — everything is gone,” she said. “We thank God we are alive, but now we have nothing.”

Families have set up temporary spots along the roadside as they try to figure out their next steps.

Parents are also worried about their children, especially with school exams underway.

“What about the kids?” Rukundo asked. “They need to write exams, but we don’t even know if they can go to school.”

Residents had recently been served with eviction notices, and Rukundo said the fire highlighted how unsafe and vulnerable the community already was. “We are people. This is not just another fire. The area has dangers, and the government knows this.”

Emergency teams were deployed to the scene shortly after the fire broke out. Officials began assessing the damage and arranging immediate relief for affected families. Structures around the edges of the settlement remain intact, and displaced residents have the option of returning to those, staying with relatives, or moving to nearby shelters. Teams are still coordinating available space at shelters and safe facilities.

Once firefighters finish their work, the burnt area will be cleared to make the site safe again.

Humanitarian groups also stepped in shortly after the fire. One organisation reported being flooded with calls for help from community members and activists. They said the entire area was destroyed, leaving hundreds with nowhere to go and nothing to salvage.

Hot meals and water were being prepared in the evening, with plans to continue supporting residents in the coming days.

By late Thursday evening, emergency crews were still working to extinguish remaining hotspots and make sure nearby communities were safe.

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Speaking about the proposal, which calls for Arab and international partners to help train Palestinian police forces and stabilize Gaza, the King said peacekeeping is acceptable — but peace enforcement is not.

“What matters is the mission’s purpose,” he said. “If it’s truly peacekeeping, then countries can help train and support local police. But if it’s about running armed patrols in Gaza, that’s not something anyone will want to do.”

He added that Jordan and Egypt are ready to train Palestinian security personnel but ruled out sending Jordanian troops into Gaza, noting the country’s deep political and emotional ties to the Palestinian people. Over half of Jordan’s population has Palestinian roots, and the country has long hosted millions of refugees from past conflicts.

When asked whether he trusts Hamas to give up political control of Gaza, the King said he relies on assurances from mediating nations like Qatar and Egypt. “They’re optimistic,” he said. “And if we don’t find a future for both Palestinians and Israelis, we’re doomed.”

The King has been directly involved in humanitarian efforts, including flying over Gaza to drop aid and helping evacuate children wounded in the conflict. More than 250 children, many seriously injured, have been brought to Jordan for medical treatment. Thousands more are still waiting for evacuation.

Queen Rania, who is of Palestinian descent, expressed heartbreak over the prolonged suffering in Gaza. “For two years, parents have watched their children suffer — terrified, hungry, powerless — while the world stood by,” she said.

She praised the recent ceasefire agreement, noting that pressure on Israel helped make it happen. “It took real diplomatic strength to get both sides to pause. For that, we’re grateful,” she said.

Despite the devastation, the Queen said she still believes in peace. “It’s not naïve to hope,” she said. “It’s an act of courage. Choosing hope is hard — but it’s the only path that doesn’t betray our shared humanity.”

The conflict has taken a staggering toll. Tens of thousands have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began, following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel. Though ceasefire and prisoner exchanges have brought some relief, both sides remain wary, and many families are still waiting for word about missing loved ones.

For King Abdullah and Queen Rania, the message is clear: peace will only last if it’s built on justice, dignity, and humanity for all.

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The appeal follows reports of Israeli air strikes near Rafah, a town that sits on the border between Egypt and Gaza. Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the crossing was expected to reopen earlier in the week, but that has not yet happened.

In Cairo, residents expressed deep concern for the people of Gaza, describing them as family and urging for swift action to end their suffering. “This is the wish of all Egyptians — for the borders to open and for aid to reach Gaza. We just want this humanitarian crisis to end,” said one local resident.

Another Egyptian, Maryam, echoed similar feelings of solidarity. “They are our brothers and sisters. We will do all we can to help them,” she said.

Despite growing public pressure, Israeli authorities announced that the crossing would remain closed until further notice. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that its reopening depends on Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased hostages.

With the ceasefire under strain and accusations of violations on both sides, the delay in reopening Rafah has worsened conditions for civilians in Gaza. Meanwhile, Egyptian Red Crescent vehicles carrying food, medical supplies, and mobile clinics remain stationed at the border, waiting for clearance to enter the enclave.

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Under the first stage of the peace deal, Hamas was required to return 20 living hostages and the remains of 28 others. So far, all living captives and several bodies have been handed over, but 19 remain missing. Hamas says the devastation across Gaza has made locating the bodies difficult and that special equipment is needed for the search.

US officials have downplayed fears that the ceasefire could collapse, saying that ongoing talks with mediators are “positive” and that Hamas has shown intent to uphold the agreement.

Israel has confirmed that the two bodies returned most recently belong to Sergeant-Major Muhammad al-Atarash, 39, and Inbar Hayman, 27 — the last female hostage known to have been held. Both were killed during the October 7 attacks.

At the Rafah crossing, preparations are underway to allow Palestinians, particularly those who are sick or injured, to leave Gaza for medical care. International monitors are expected to oversee operations, though aid deliveries remain restricted to other crossings.

In Gaza, residents are struggling with rising food prices and shortages as uncertainty grows over whether the ceasefire will last. Meanwhile, Palestinian health officials are working to identify the bodies of 90 Palestinians recently returned by Israel, many of which remain unrecognizable due to the conditions in which they were found.

US advisers say the process of recovering all hostages’ remains could take weeks, given the scale of destruction. They also mentioned discussions about future governance in Gaza, possibly involving a new technocratic administration supported by regional powers.

For many families, both in Israel and Gaza, the ceasefire has brought a painful mix of relief and heartbreak — moments of reunion alongside the grief of those still waiting for closure.

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Health workers at Al-Awda Hospital report an alarming rise in severe malnutrition cases, now affecting children as young as two months and as old as twelve years. Dr. Rana Abu Zaatir, who heads the hospital’s nutrition department, warned that limited access to food and medical supplies is pushing Gaza toward a deeper crisis.

Only four malnutrition treatment centers remain operational in the entire region. With northern Gaza cut off from aid deliveries for weeks, hospitals are struggling to provide therapeutic food and basic care for starving patients.

“There are many children and adults dying from malnutrition and its complications,” said Dr. Zaatir. “If border crossings remain closed and food prices keep rising, we will face a real disaster. People simply don’t have enough to eat.”

The World Food Program has noted slight improvements in humanitarian access but insists that entry to northern Gaza must be restored immediately. The agency also emphasized that a lasting ceasefire is essential to deliver life-saving food to those most in need.

Experts estimate that around half a million people in Gaza City are already living in famine conditions, underscoring the urgent need for global intervention.

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