Gaza ceasefire explained

Home Gaza ceasefire explained
October 15, 2025 Gaza -

On 10 October, the first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect. While aid organisations, including Islamic Relief, welcomed the news, much uncertainty remains and the humanitarian situation is still catastrophic.

Here, we explain what the ceasefire involves and what it could mean for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

What is a ceasefire?

A ceasefire is an agreement to pause acts of violence by military and/or other armed forces and groups in a conflict. Ceasefires usually have a series of conditions attached and last for a sustained period of time.

Ceasefires can be a first step in deescalating a conflict and can be employed for humanitarian purposes such as bringing more aid into a conflict zone or allowing civilians to escape to safety.

A ceasefire is not the same as an armistice, which is a formal agreement to permanently end all military operations in a conflict. Armistices do not establish peace but rather end fighting so involved parties can commit to resolving their differences through negotiations.

How did the Gaza ceasefire happen?

The first phase of the ceasefire came into effect on 10 October at 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT), after Hamas agreed and the Israeli government voted to approve the US-brokered agreement.

The announcement is a significant step but long overdue after around 68,000 people have been killed and Gaza has been bombed into rubble and a man-made famine.

Islamic Relief and many other organisations have repeatedly called on the international community to demand a ceasefire, and there has been huge and sustained public pressure, but little apparent progress. However, in recent weeks, mediators including the US, Qatar and Türkiye had increased pressure on both sides.

What are the terms of the Gaza ceasefire?

The ceasefire is expected to follow several stages, with negotiations continuing throughout the first stage to agree key unresolved issues such as disarmament and who will govern Gaza after the ceasefire.  

The first stage is now underway, with Hamas releasing the 20 still-living hostages captured on 7 October and the bodies of other hostages, and Israel releasing almost 2,000 Palestinians from Israeli jails and also beginning to return the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians.

Israeli forces have also partially withdrawn from parts of Gaza but retain full control of more than half of the enclave. Israel has also said it will allow 600 trucks carrying aid and essential items to enter Gaza each day, and will allow displaced Palestinians to return through the Rafah crossing under EU-supervised coordination with Egypt.

The US has deployed 200 troops to Israel which it says will oversee the ceasefire’s implementation. These troops will not enter Gaza itself.

Are there any barriers to the ceasefire’s success?

Yes. Relations between the two sides are incredibly strained, and any violations from either side risks completely derailing negotiations.

Israel’s blockade remains in place, which means it retains full control over what comes in and out of Gaza. On 14 October Israel announced it would cut the number of aid trucks allowed in to just 300 per day and shut the Rafah crossing once more – it reportedly reversed this decision the following day, but this illustrates the fragility of the agreement and the level of control that Israel continues to have over humanitarian access.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is catastrophic and aid delivery to starving people must not be a bargaining chip for negotiations that can be withdrawn at any moment.

Over the past 24 hours there have also been reports of several Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces, while many other sticking points will need to be ironed out to see future stages of the ceasefire implemented successfully. For example, questions remain over whether Hamas will disarm and who should govern Gaza after the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement does not apply to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, where we have seen an increase in Israeli attacks and human rights violations over the past two years. A further escalation there could also jeopardise the deal.

Despite the challenges, both sides have already made compromises to agree to the current ceasefire, and international pressure for an end to the conflict is likely to remain intense during this first stage.

What happened to the last ceasefire in early 2025?

The previous ceasefire agreement, announced in January 2025, initially brought some respite for people and allowed aid agencies including Islamic Relief to scale up our work. However, it quickly broke down – within weeks Israel resumed and intensified its bombing and enforced a total siege of Gaza, shutting off all aid and commercial supplies. Israel also escalated it attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the ceasefire period. This must not be allowed to happen again this time.

What’s happening in Gaza right now?

Since the ceasefire was announced, over 332,000 people are thought to have moved to other parts of the Gaza Strip, many returning to find their homes reduced to rubble. While some are recovering what belongings they can and returning to shelters, others are setting up tents on the sites of their former homes. Some family members have been able to reunite after months of sheltering separately.

Is more humanitarian aid entering Gaza?

The ceasefire commits to a target of 600 trucks a day. This is similar to the number reaching Gaza before the current crisis, however, in recent months, the influx of aid has been practically non-existent, meaning 600 trucks a day will be a small drop in an ocean of need.

So far we are seeing a small but significant increase in the amount of aid getting in, but still just a fraction of what has been agreed.

Restrictions on the types of goods that can enter Gaza remain in place and are likely to impact the delivery of some desperately needed items. Gaza has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of the Strip.

This has huge implications for humanitarian efforts. For example, thousands of essential items are restricted from entering Gaza because Israel considers them to have a ‘dual use’, meaning it can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Things like fuel, water filters, solar pumps and surgical scissors have been refused entry on these grounds.

The United Nations Secretary-General has committed to scaling up humanitarian relief in Gaza, urging the unimpeded entry of aid and essential commercial materials.

Will Islamic Relief deliver more aid to Gaza?

Islamic Relief is ready to massively scale up our current lifesaving aid and help reconstruction efforts as soon as restrictions on humanitarian access are lifted. We hope the ceasefire agreement will enable us and other aid agencies to get aid to Palestinian families in dire need.

We note that previous promises to allow more aid into Gaza have been immediately broken and urge that all restrictions on humanitarian access be lifted. The international community must hold Israel to account if aid continues to be blocked.

As of October 2025, all of Islamic Relief’s programming in Gaza has been made up of emergency projects.

Throughout the crisis, we have supported Palestinians in Gaza by delivering hot meals, food parcels, water and hygiene kits; expanding our Orphan Sponsorship Programme; and addressing mental and physical healthcare needs wherever possible. This work will expand in the coming days and weeks.

What was the situation like before the ceasefire?

Prior to the ceasefire, Palestinian families trapped in Gaza suffered over 2 years of relentless bombardment while pleas for a ceasefire went largely ignored. The Gaza Strip has been left in ruins, while around 68,000 people in Gaza have been killed – including around 20,000 children – and many more left with life-changing injuries.

Israeli bombs destroyed hospitals, schools and shelters, while families were forced to flee their homes time and time again. Famine has been declared in Gaza City, while starvation and malnutrition are rife throughout the Strip.

Amid so much suffering, the entry of aid and other essential items was severely restricted, hampering efforts to preserve life.

The ceasefire is not an immediate resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, rather the first step towards enabling Palestinians to recover and, eventually, rebuild.

What else is needed to support vulnerable people in Gaza?

It is vital that this ceasefire agreement is fully and immediately implemented. 

This agreement must lead to a lasting peace, with justice and accountability for the horrors perpetrated against civilians. All people must be able to live in safety and dignity, and have their fundamental human rights upheld.

Islamic Relief believes this will not be possible until the root causes of the crisis are addressed and there is an end to the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Please help us to continue supporting vulnerable people in Gaza. Donate to our Palestine Emergency Appeal now.

Quick donate
arrow-up

Quick donate

Join Our Newsletter

We will always treat your personal information with the utmost care and will keep it private (read our privacy policy). You can opt out at any time by contacting us via email at IslamicReliefWorldwide@irworldwide.org or by clicking the unsubscribe button on one of the emails you receive from us.

© Copyright 2025 Islamic Relief Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved. Registered Charity No. 328158
Zia Salik

Interim Director of Islamic Relief UK

Zia Salik was appointed Interim Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2025, and brings with him over 18 years of third sector experience. He has held several leadership roles within Islamic Relief UK, including National Events Coordinator, National Community Fundraising Manager, Head of Fundraising, and Deputy Director. Zia has led national fundraising strategies, managed large-scale campaigns and events, and contributed significantly to volunteer development, donor engagement and public outreach. 

As Interim Director, Zia oversees multiple teams and contributes to strategic planning, operational leadership and organisational growth. He is recognised for his expertise in major donor management, public speaking, media engagement and community fundraising. Zia has been instrumental in building strong community networks and delivering impactful campaigns.

Before joining Islamic Relief, Zia served as Programmes Manager at Humber All Nations Alliance, where he led organisational growth, project delivery and funding proposals.

Zia is a seasoned leader committed to social justice, who brings a collaborative, mission-driven approach to his work, helping to amplify voices and maximise impact in the charity sector.

Nadeem Malik

Interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) and Managing Director of Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

Nadeem has a wealth of experience from the charity, statutory and private sectors. He is the Managing Director of HAD (a division of IRW) which is a centre of excellence seeking to empower the humanitarian sector and maximise its effectiveness and from October 2025 will serve as our interim CEO. 

Before joining Islamic Relief, for nearly a decade at the General Medical Council — a globally recognised professional regulator — Nadeem managed strategic relationships with Chief Medical Officers and senior leaders. Prior to that, he served as the UK Director of Islamic Help, engaging closely with many international non-governmental organisations and playing a key role in fundraising and media activities.

In 2000, Nadeem was admitted as a solicitor. He spent nearly 8 years as a Partner at a law firm specialising in employment, regulatory and charity law. He has published papers, including in the Modern Law Review, and chapters in books.

Nadeem is deeply committed to strengthening civil society organisations and the charity sector, and throughout his career has focused on improving foundations for future generations and building strong networks. Nadeem has particular expertise working in matters of Learning and Development, especially personal and professional development, combining Islamic principles with modern techniques and interventions. He is also especially interested in psychological perspectives and cognitive distortions. He has designed and delivered training to thousands of people for nearly 3 decades.

As well as individual development and growth, Nadeem has spent 20 years working with organisations to manage and lead people to improve outcomes and efficiencies. He is a Consultant Coach, qualified at ILM Level 5 in Effective Coaching and Mentoring and ILM Level 7 in Executive and Senior Leadership Coaching. He was Chair of the Independent Advisory Group for the Professional Standards Department of West Midlands Police for 4 years, where he was awarded recognition for his ‘Outstanding Work.’

Saqeb Mueen

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Saqeb joined Islamic Relief in 2025, bringing with him extensive experience in strategic communications and policy engagement. He served for more than two decades at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), including eight years as Director of Communications, where he led high-impact media campaigns and worked with major international organisations including the European Union, NATO as well as national governments. Saqeb was also the first Head of Communications for Tech Against Terrorism, an online counter-terrorist organisation backed by the United Nations, where he developed and established its public relations capabilities. Saqeb has advised UK Muslim organisations on communications and public affairs as they foster interfaith initiatives and tackle racism and Islamophobia. Saqeb holds a BA in History from University College London and an MA in War Studies from King’s College London. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was a Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI.
Asha Ahmad

Director of People and Culture

Asha joined Islamic Relief in 2025 with the aim of working with colleagues to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute meaningfully to our shared mission.

Asha has more than 20 years of experience in HR leadership across a range of industries, holding roles at Thomson Reuters, BMW, Movado Group and others. She is passionate about building strong, resilient teams and fostering positive workplace cultures where individuals are empowered to thrive, contribute and do their best work.

Asha holds a BA in Management, Economics and Law, as well as a BA in Business Studies. She is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Salaheddin Aboulgasem

Interim Director of Global Family Development

Salaheddin joined Islamic Relief UK in 2006 and over the next 7 years held multiple roles, including Community Fundraiser and Campaigns Manager, before joining Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2013.

Since then, Salaheddin has been instrumental in the launch and growth of new Islamic Relief member offices in Ireland, Spain, Norway and Finland, as well as providing essential support and guidance to existing members, including Italy, where he served as CEO for 3 years.

In 2023, Salaheddin became Deputy Director of Global Family Development and in this role has continued to play a crucial part in steering Islamic Relief’s growth and expansion. He has also led global fundraising and media engagement for major emergencies including the Türkiye-Syria earthquake and Libya floods. Salaheddin became the Interim Director of Global Family Development in 2025.

Salaheddin holds a master’s degree in International Development and is actively involved in several community-led initiatives. He is currently the Vice President of the International Union of Muslim Scouts and Deputy Chair of the UK Muslim Scouts Fellowship as well as Chair of the South Birmingham Muslim Community Association.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.