Palestinians in Gaza speak of mixed emotions at ceasefire deal
JVL Introduction
As we hold our breaths for a ceasefire in Gaza, as we wait to see if the Israeli government will sign (see, eg Israel delays cabinet vote on Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal in the Washington Post ), we also consider the mixed emotions for the people in Gaza. The Washington Post article notes that “In Gaza, celebrations were tempered by continuing Israeli airstrikes ahead of the deal’s commencement. The spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense, Mahmoud Basel, said Thursday afternoon that at least 77 people have been killed and more than 250 wounded since the agreement was announced the previous evening, including 21 children and 25 women.”
The need for a ceasefire is clear but when it happens, an uncertain future remains and we will need to continue our support, continue to raise political as well as humanitarian concerns and continue to work for peace with justice for all.
LL
This article was originally published by The New Arab on Thu 16 Jan 2025. Read the original here.
Joy, sadness and hope: Mixed emotions for Palestinians in Gaza over ceasefire deal after 15 months of Israel's genocidal war
Despite the official announcement of the ceasefire, the Israeli army continued to launch airstrikes on various areas of Gaza, killing of about 40 Palestinians.
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I am sceptical that Israel will act in good faith if there is a ceasefire; already we have the claim that it is Hamas backtracking which has caused the delay in the Cabinet meeting. I shall be looking whether the Western Media is allowed unrestricted access to Gaza and if it is not, whether it will complain. The BBC continues to make the untrue boast that it ‘does not just report the news, it is there’.
We know it is highly likely that once the hostages are released that the carnage will begin again because that’s what Netanyahu wants. Hamas has survived and therefore Israel has been defeated. The whole episode has laid bare the reality of Israeli barbarity. How dare ‘the west’ criticise Putin in Ukraine! We need now to FORCE the ICJ and the ICC to intensify their efforts. Every single soldier who has committed atrocities must be held to account.