Israelis and Palestinians have been celebrating the deal and are hopeful that it will lay the groundwork for a permanent end to the devastating war, which began two years ago after a Hamas-led attack on Israel. The conflict has left Gaza in ruins and is estimated to have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians. Israel has been widely accused of committing genocide in Gaza—where a famine was declared in August—and of weaponizing aid .

The recent agreement between Israel and Hamas for an initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan has prompted a sense of relief across the region. A cease-fire has now begun, and the remaining hostages in Gaza are set to be released in the coming days.

The recent agreement between Israel and Hamas for an initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan has prompted a sense of relief across the region. A cease-fire has now begun, and the remaining hostages in Gaza are set to be released in the coming days.

Israelis and Palestinians have been celebrating the deal and are hopeful that it will lay the groundwork for a permanent end to the devastating war, which began two years ago after a Hamas-led attack on Israel. The conflict has left Gaza in ruins and is estimated to have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians. Israel has been widely accused of committing genocide in Gaza—where a famine was declared in August—and of weaponizing aid.

There are myriad challenges ahead for advancing the peace process while also addressing the needs of those impacted by the war. To get a better understanding of the situation on the ground at this crucial moment, Foreign Policy spoke with Mathieu Bichet, deputy medical dire