The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world of the need to prevent a sudden unforeseen health crisis from leading to total ruin. A pandemic or similar major health crisis cannot alone be counted on to align the interests of the Middle East’s complex conflicts between states, non-state actors, and regional and extra-regional powers on the need for a ceasefire, but it could provide the context for a ripe moment to broker one. Short-term ceasefires, if built substantively and with critical buy-in from the most powerful actors, are achievable to facilitate humanitarian work to prevent or mitigate outbreaks amongst highly vulnerable populations in conflict zones.