CITIZENS NEWS

Israel’s ceasefire deal under threat as deadly strikes continue in Gaza

By willowt // 2025-01-21

• A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., is already jeopardized as Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza, killing 77 Palestinians, including 21 children and 25 women, in the deadliest 24-hour period in over a week.
• The agreement includes a six-week pause in fighting, gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Former President Joe Biden called it a “critical first step” toward ending the conflict, which has caused over 46,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced nearly 2 million since October 2023.
• While the ceasefire announcement brought temporary jubilation in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes resumed hours later, killing civilians and destroying homes, raising doubts about Israel’s commitment to peace.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces internal opposition, with far-right coalition members threatening to withdraw support if fighting does not resume after the six-week pause, highlighting the deal’s fragility.
• The ceasefire does not address long-term issues like Gaza’s governance or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, it offers hope for increased humanitarian aid, though Gaza’s recovery will require years of reconstruction.

A fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, is already under strain as Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza, killing at least 77 Palestinians—including 21 children and 25 women—in the deadliest 24-hour period in over a week. The violence, which erupted just hours after the ceasefire was announced, has cast doubt on the durability of the deal and raised questions about whether it will lead to lasting peace or merely a temporary pause in the bloodshed. The ceasefire, set to begin Sunday, outlines a phased approach: an initial six-week pause in fighting, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Former President Joe Biden hailed the deal as a “critical first step” toward ending the conflict, which has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives and displaced nearly 2 million people since October 2023. Yet, as Israeli airstrikes continued to devastate Gaza, many are left wondering if the agreement is more about optics than genuine reconciliation.

Ceasefire celebrations overshadowed by violence

The announcement of the ceasefire sparked jubilation in Gaza, where residents have endured 15 months of relentless bombardment, severe shortages of food and water, and the destruction of homes and infrastructure. In Khan Younis, crowds took to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting in celebration. “I am happy. Yes, I am crying, but those are tears of joy,” said Ghada, a displaced mother of five. But the celebrations were short-lived. Hours after the deal was announced, Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza City, Rafah and Nuseirat, killing dozens and destroying homes. Among the victims was Ihab Marwan Kamal Faisal, a 33-year-old human rights worker, along with his wife and two young daughters. The timing of the strikes has drawn sharp criticism. “Every time there is talk about a truce or ceasefire, we witness an escalation in the intensity of the bombardment,” said Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense. The attacks have left many questioning Israel’s commitment to peace.

Political infighting threatens fragile agreement

The ceasefire deal, while a significant diplomatic achievement, faces numerous hurdles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed a cabinet vote on the agreement, citing last-minute demands from Hamas. Meanwhile, far-right members of his coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw their support if Israel does not resume fighting after the initial six-week pause. This political infighting underscores the fragility of the deal. “It’s stunning to me that the prime minister—the magician, the master politician—seems to have miscalculated,” said Aaron David Miller, a veteran American negotiator. Even if the ceasefire holds, the broader conflict remains unresolved. The agreement does not address the future governance of Gaza or the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Cautious hope

Despite the violence, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for Gaza’s beleaguered population. The deal includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid, which is desperately needed to address the enclave’s dire conditions. The United Nations and other aid agencies are preparing to ramp up their operations, but the scale of the devastation will require years of reconstruction. For now, the people of Gaza remain caught between hope and despair. Although they’ve been waiting for a breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations, they’ve suffered monumental losses. As the world watches, the question remains: Will this ceasefire mark the beginning of a lasting peace, or will it be another fleeting pause in a cycle of violence that has claimed too many lives? Sources include: SHTF.com Reuters.com NBCNews.com

national security violence genocide Trump chaos peace talks Joe Biden humanitarian WWIII fallout Israel collapse cease fire