The recent ceasefire in Gaza has brought a glimmer of hope, but aid workers are quick to point out that the hardest part is still ahead. While the truce is a crucial first step, the road to recovery is packed with hurdles that could slow down much-needed relief efforts. Humanitarian groups are facing a laundry list of challenges. Some areas in northern Gaza remain nearly impossible to reach, and criminal gangs are reportedly looting UN convoys carrying essential supplies like food. On top of that, Israel is set to ban the main UN agency responsible for aid distribution in Gaza in just two weeks, a move that could severely disrupt relief operations. Despite these obstacles, aid is slowly making its way in. Over 600 trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, with about half heading to the north. The UN has thousands more ready to go, but the real issue isn’t the availability of food—it’s getting it to the people who need it most. “The problem isn’t getting goods in; it’s delivering them,” explained a UN official working in Gaza. Northern Gaza, in particular, has been cut off from aid for months. Winter weather is making survival even harder for those stranded there. While some areas have started to reopen, places like Jabalya and Beit Hanoun remain largely inaccessible. The UN is working to navigate these challenges, but the situation is far from stable. Adding to the complexity, Israel has accused some UNRWA employees of involvement in recent attacks, leading to a ban on the agency’s operations. UNRWA, which supports over a million people in Gaza, denies these allegations and insists it will continue its work as long as possible. However, the ban could leave a massive gap in aid distribution. Looting is another major concern. Aid trucks are often targeted as soon as they enter Gaza, forcing distributors to take risky detours to avoid losing their cargo. “They’re too afraid of losing the supplies,” said one aid worker. The ceasefire has brought a temporary pause to the violence, but the damage is already immense. Over 46,000 people have reportedly been killed, and nearly the entire population has been displaced. As aid workers brace for the challenges ahead, one thing is clear: the ceasefire is just the beginning of a long and difficult journey toward recovery.