“These were moments mixed with joy and sorrow. Joy that this waterfall of blood will stop; that the massacres will stop; that the sentence, ‘this family has been completely erased’ will stop; that the phrase ‘he is the sole survivor’ will stop; that the words ‘the martyrs’ bodies are in the streets and no one is able to remove them,’ will stop; that all of this suffering will become a memory.”
Five Journalists in Gaza Reflect on Ceasefire Announcement by Sharif Abdel Kouddous, Drop Site, Jan 16, 2025
The false resolution of the ceasefire
As the world celebrates the ceasefire, we are left to question its meaning. What does it truly signify for us in Gaza?
It is not an end to the war; it is simply a temporary lull in the violence.
It does not undo the devastation, nor does it heal the wounds inflicted on us.
A ceasefire is nothing more than a global performance, a signal that the world has done enough to appease its own conscience.
But for us, it is nothing more than an intermission in an endless tragedy.
When the bombs stop, the trauma does not fade.
The streets still lie in ruins. The poisoned water still courses through our bodies, and the toxic memories of the bombings linger like an invisible disease.
We don’t return to normal—we adapt to a new kind of existence, one that is born from the wreckage of our past and the uncertainty of our future.
A ceasefire does not undo the loss of homes, of lives, of family members. It does not bring back what has been destroyed. It does not restore dignity, nor does it heal the wounds of displacement.
For the world, a ceasefire is the end of the story, the resolution that allows the audience to turn the page. But for us, it is just another silence, another chapter in a story that never truly ends. The bombs may stop, but the wounds they leave behind will continue to bleed.
And the silence that follows is not peace—it is the deafening quiet of lives left in limbo, waiting for the next round of violence to begin.
The Gaza Ceasefire Will Not Cure the Wounds of Genocide by Roaa Shamallakh, Mondoweiss, Jan 16, 2025
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Cease-fire is the beginning, not the end
There must be a commitment from the U.S. and others towards ensuring that this is not simply a pause but a permanent cease-fire. That means holding all parties accountable for violations. In Lebanon, Israel has violated the cease-fire terms approximately a hundred times without consequence; this is unacceptable and should not be allowed in Lebanon or in Gaza. Continued pressure is needed to ensure the terms of the deal are followed and push for a long-term political solution that brings an end to forced displacement, occupation, and apartheid in Palestine. We call for:
- Immediate, full, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza to alleviate famine, deliver lifesaving medical aid, and provide essential goods and services.
- A complete withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza, a Palestinian-led process to determine Gaza’s future, and a fully funded just reconstruction.
- Free movement for Palestinians within the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory and an end to the nearly two-decade long siege imposed on Gaza
- A transparent and impartial investigation into violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. We also call for unrestricted access to Gaza for international media.
- Palestinian self-determination and an end to occupation, forced displacement, and apartheid imposed on Palestinians in all parts of Palestine.
As a U.S.-based Quaker organization we want in particular to hold our own government accountable. We need an embargo on U.S. arms sales to Israel in order to deter future atrocities. Genocide on this scale would not have been possible without billions of dollars in U.S. military funding, and the Biden administration could have forced a cease-fire at any time over the past 15 months.
Hearing the news of an impending cease-fire, Firas Ramlawi, an AFSC staff member in Gaza wrote: “I will search for my voice that disappeared amidst the sounds of the explosions and the echo of the frightening silence, reveal in it I will find the remains of a human being who refuses to be destroyed.”
Cease-fire is the beginning, not the end by Layne Mullett, AFSC, Jan 15, 2025
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
This deal is an important step, but it is not enough. While FCNL applauds this agreement, we lament that it comes far too late for the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives, limbs, or loved ones due to indiscriminate Israeli bombings and severe aid restrictions. It also comes far too late for the 1,200 Israeli civilians killed on October 7 and the nearly 100 Israeli hostages and their families who have been living in agony, separated from their loved ones for well over a year now.
As FCNL has long said, war is not the answer. There is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict, only a diplomatic one that addresses root causes of violence. This agreement demonstrates the enduring power of dialogue over violence.
While this is a critical step forward for peace, the work is far from over. We must secure a permanent ceasefire, ensure the return of all remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, provide unfettered access to humanitarian aid, and work toward a just and lasting peace for all. U.S. lawmakers must press for continued diplomatic engagement across the region, including in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Iran, to prevent more war and needless civilian suffering.
Israel and Hamas Agree to Long Overdue Ceasefire Deal in Gaza. More Action is Needed by Hassan El-Tayyab, Friends Committee on National Legislation, January 15, 2025
unflinching 