January 16, 2025
A glimmer of relief to Palestinians who have been victims of the genocide perpetrated by Israel.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
Israel and the OPT: The long-awaited ceasefire will not repair the lives of Palestinians shattered by Israel’s genocide in Gaza
In response to reports that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement set to take effect on January 19, 2025, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said:
“The news of a ceasefire agreement will bring a glimmer of relief to Palestinians who have been victims of the genocide perpetrated by Israel. But this agreement has been cruelly long overdue.
“For Palestinians who have endured more than 15 months of devastating and relentless bombardments, who have been repeatedly displaced from their homes, and who are struggling to survive in makeshift tents without food, water, or basic necessities, the nightmare will not end with the bombings.
“For Palestinians who have lost countless loved ones, for those whose entire families have been wiped out or whose homes have been reduced to rubble, the end of the fighting will not suffice to repair their shattered lives or heal their trauma.
“The release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees will bring joy to families in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, but it will not erase the suffering they endured in captivity.
“There is no time to lose. Israel has consistently and deliberately blocked and hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza: civilians have faced unprecedented levels of famine, and children have died of starvation. The international community, which has so far failed to persuade Israel to fulfil its legal obligations, must ensure that it immediately allows the delivery of vital supplies to all areas of the occupied Gaza Strip to ensure the survival of the Palestinian population.
“This includes guaranteeing the entry of essential medical supplies to treat the wounded and the sick and facilitating the repair of medical centres and critical infrastructure. If Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza is not quickly lifted, this suffering will continue. Finally, independent human rights observers must be allowed access to Gaza to gather evidence and reveal the extent of violations.
“For Palestinians who have lost so much, there is little reason for optimism in the absence of guarantees that they will receive justice and reparations for the crimes committed against them.“
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