UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (IPS) – A long-awaited ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas was approved on January 15, 2025, delivering the first aid to Gaza residents after 15 months of conflict. This allowed for the exchange of prisoners and hostages between the two countries and allowed for more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza. This is only the first phase of a three-phase plan, but it is unclear whether Israel will continue to negotiate a ceasefire after the first phase is completed.
On January 20, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed in a press statement that it had facilitated the first transfer of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas. The ICRC said in a statement that three Israeli hostages were repatriated from the Gaza Strip to Israel, and 90 Palestinian prisoners were repatriated to the occupied Palestinian territories.
The ICRC described exchange activities between the two countries as “complex” and that “stringent” security measures must be maintained. The dangers of unexploded artillery, large crowds, and destroyed infrastructure made these operations particularly meticulous. Professional ICRC staff, including doctors, were on the front line and provided medical care during the interaction.
“We feel relieved that those who have been liberated can be reunited with their loved ones. At this critical moment, it is a huge responsibility to ensure the safe return of children and provide them with the care they need. More families are anxiously waiting for their loved ones to return home. We urge all parties to continue to honor their commitments to ensure that the next phase of work can proceed safely. Our team stands ready to continue implementing the agreement so that more hostages and detainees are released and more families are reunited,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.
In a statement, the ICRC reiterated the urgency of the humanitarian situation facing the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023. Gaza residents have struggled for more than a year to secure food, clean water, electricity, fuel and shelter. Additionally, access to most basic services, including sanitation, education, and healthcare, has decreased significantly.
Coinciding with the exchange of detainees between Israel and Palestine, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the Security Council about the situation in Gaza. Secretary-General Guterres said the United Nations remained committed to promoting a peaceful transition for both countries, adding that both sides must “make good progress” on the terms of the ceasefire agreement. This includes a complete cessation of hostilities and an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
“I urge the Security Council and all member states to support all efforts to implement the ceasefire, permanently cease hostilities, ensure accountability, and create conditions for recovery and reconstruction. International media should also be able to come to Gaza and report this important story from the ground. We must seize the opportunity presented by the ceasefire agreement to strengthen efforts to address the governance and security systems in Gaza,” Guterres said.
Guterres added that the United Nations must ensure safe and unhindered access through all available access points in Gaza to provide essential resources and basic services and to rebuild critical infrastructure in the isolated area. On January 19, the World Food Program (WFP) confirmed in a press statement that aid trucks had begun transiting the Gaza Strip. WFP is working to ensure that 150 trucks can deliver aid to Gaza each day from all available border crossing points. Jordanian and Israeli trucks aim to reach civilians in the north of the enclave, while Egyptian trucks aim to reach people in the south.
WFP also delivered 5,000 liters of fuel, food parcels, bottled water, winter clothing and vaccines. Additionally, 33 patients, 12 doctors and 16 administrative staff remain at Al Awda Hospital. Access is still very difficult due to ongoing security issues.
On January 20, the Palestinian Non-Governmental Network (PNGO) and the Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) issued a joint statement welcoming the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and highlighting the enormous scale of needs facing the people of Gaza. The two groups called on all parties involved to monitor full implementation of the ceasefire agreement and investigate any violations of international humanitarian law.
“They must ensure accountability through investigations, support international legal institutions, and establish international mechanisms to address persistent violations. Ending impunity is critical to breaking the cycle of violence for the Palestinian people, the region and all humanity. We urge all parties to the conflict and their guarantors to respect and ensure full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. This ceasefire must be just the beginning of an important process towards justice, peace and dignity for all. “The Palestinian voice must be central to any reconstruction negotiations for a meaningful solution to end the suffering of the Palestinian people,” spokesmen for both groups said.
On January 18, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters in a televised statement that the ceasefire was temporary and that Israel, with US support, had the right to resume the offensive if Hamas did not follow through on its terms. transaction. “If we have to resume fighting, we will apply our might in a new way,” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu’s statement raised many concerns among political analysts and humanitarian groups that the ceasefire may not be fully implemented. Marc Lynch, director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University, said the ceasefire would likely not pass phase one and permanent peace would not be achieved.
“There is endless room for spoilers on both sides and serious disagreements remain over the details of the next steps in the agreement. “There are many people in Israel who want this war prosecuted indefinitely,” Lynch said.
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