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After delays by Israel, Gaza ceasefire finally takes effect

After delays by Israel, Gaza ceasefire finally takes effect

19 January 2025 in 2025
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After delays by Israel, Gaza ceasefire finally takes effect

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GAZA, January 19 2025 (WAFA) - After prolonged delays and continued Israeli aggression, the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip finally took effect at 11:15 am today, following 15 months of relentless Israeli genocide, siege and starvation that left catastrophic consequences in their wake.

The agreement, which was brokered by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday, January 15, was ratified by the Israeli government on Saturday, January 18. According to the agreement, the ceasefire was set to begin at 8:30 AM Sunday morning.

The ceasefire deal is to be executed in three phases, with the first phase lasting 42 days, during which further details of the second and third phases will be negotiated.

A devastating human toll

The toll of the aggression, which began in October 2023, has been devastating, particularly in Gaza, where over 157,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured—most of them women and children.

The onslaught has also left more than 11,000 Palestinians missing, with widespread destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens of children and the elderly, making it one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.

Alongside the massacre in Gaza, Israeli occupation forces and colonists escalated attacks in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, resulting in the killing of 835 Palestinians and injuries to thousands more.

Thousands have also been detained, homes and structures demolished, and military checkpoints erected to isolate towns, villages, and cities. Meanwhile, racist laws passed by the Israeli Knesset have increased pressure on Palestinians, particularly in terms of restricting their movement and activities, as well as undermining the work of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Gaza Strip: a devastating impact

Since the beginning of October 2023, Israeli forces launched a brutal offensive on Gaza, leading to the killing of at least 46,899 Palestinians, including 17,581 children and 12,048 women. More than 110,725 have been injured, and around 11,000 are still missing under rubble or in the streets. This has caused Gaza’s population to drop by 6% by the end of 2024.

Over 85% of Gaza’s residents—more than 1.93 million people—have been displaced due to the destruction of their homes, while an additional 100,000 people have fled the region. Approximately 1.6 million people are currently living in shelters and tents that lack basic necessities, amid unprecedented destruction of infrastructure, with over 80% of Gaza in ruins.

The closure of all Gaza crossings and the ongoing siege have caused severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel, resulting in widespread famine. Currently, 96% of Gaza’s population faces extreme food insecurity, with over 495,000 individuals experiencing catastrophic food insecurity. An estimated 11,000 pregnant women, 3,500 children, and countless others are at risk of starvation.

Education has also been severely impacted, with 788,000 students unable to attend school for two consecutive years, and 77 schools destroyed, alongside 191 schools damaged. Higher education institutions have also been devastated, with 51 university buildings destroyed and 57 partially damaged.

Hospitals, including 14 that remain operational, are facing severe shortages of medical supplies and staff, contributing to the spread of diseases. Religious and cultural heritage sites have not been spared, with 815 mosques and several churches and historical landmarks completely destroyed. The destruction of Gaza’s economy has been unprecedented, with the GDP shrinking by over 82% by the end of 2024, leading to an unemployment rate of 80%.

West Bank and Jerusalem: escalating attacks and settler violence

In the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Israeli aggression has claimed the lives of 835 Palestinians, including 173 children. Israeli settlers and forces have carried out nearly 20,000 attacks on Palestinian citizens and their properties. This violence has also resulted in the destruction of thousands of olive trees and damage to thousands of homes.

The Israeli occupation has confiscated 53,000 dunums of Palestinian land and legalized the expansion of settlements, building thousands of new housing units and settler outposts. Home demolitions have increased, with 1,022 homes and agricultural structures destroyed and over 1,100 demolition orders issued.

The Knesset has also passed numerous laws to legitimize and further entrench occupation policies, including measures targeting Palestinians in Jerusalem and areas annexed by Israel.

Prisoners: the systematic oppression

Since October 2023, Israeli authorities have escalated their crackdown on Palestinian prisoners, with over 25,000 Palestinians detained, including 13,000 from the West Bank. Administrative detention has been widely used, with nearly 10,000 Palestinians subjected to this punitive measure.

Over 54 prisoners have died in Israeli jails due to harsh conditions, and 450 women and young girls remain incarcerated. Israel has also continued its policy of withholding the bodies of deceased prisoners.

Economic collapse and humanitarian crisis

The ongoing siege and Israeli confiscations of Palestinian tax revenues have deepened the financial crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority. As a result, public sector employees have not been fully paid for months, and vital services such as healthcare and education are on the brink of collapse.

The lack of medical supplies, with over 120 drugs unavailable, and the ongoing disruptions to education are severely impacting the quality of life for Palestinians.

The overall Palestinian economy, including Gaza and the West Bank, has suffered a catastrophic decline, with the national GDP shrinking by an estimated 28% by the end of 2024. Unemployment has surged to 51%, exacerbating the already dire social and humanitarian conditions.

Racist legislation and attacks on Palestinian identity

The Israeli Knesset has passed several racist laws targeting Palestinians, including measures to limit the operations of UNRWA and further encroach on Palestinian territory. Among the laws are those that criminalize family reunification, label Palestinians as "terrorists" based on their activism, and reject any notion of Palestinian statehood.

Palestinian citizens of Israel (1948 Palestinians)

Palestinians within Israel, or those in the 1948 territories, have also faced intensified repression during the period of the Gaza aggression. Israeli authorities have implemented emergency laws to suppress protests, extend detentions without trial, and restrict freedom of expression. These measures are aimed at further subjugating the Palestinian population within Israel and limiting their ability to organize politically.

The ongoing Israeli aggression has plunged Palestine into one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world, with widespread devastation, loss of life, and suffering. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the long-term impacts of this genocide will be felt for generations to come, as the Palestinian people continue to endure occupation, displacement, and systematic oppression.

M.N

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