Gaza Ceasefire an Immense Relief; US Must Use Leverage to Ensure Compliance and End to War

In response to the agreement of an initial phase of a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Center for International Policy President and CEO Nancy Okail issued the following statement:

“The agreement of a long overdue ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas is an immense relief. The parties and all countries must do their utmost to ensure the full and immediate implementation of this first phase of ending the war and genocide in Gaza. Hostages and prisoners must be released, and a massive, unrestricted humanitarian aid effort must be urgently undertaken to counter the crisis of starvation, disease and lack of shelter impacting hundreds of thousands of civilians in the territory. The safety of humanitarian workers, medical facilities and distribution centers must be guaranteed.

“At the same time, the United States and its regional partners must use all available leverage to ensure that this process culminates in an end to the genocide and a final agreement to bring the war to an end. The parties have yet to agree on all the matters raised in the Trump Administration’s 20-point plan, including full details on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and long-term governance of the territory and its people. It is deeply concerning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – after his proposed changes to the plan were incorporated by the United States – attempted to cast Hamas’ proposal to negotiate further details as a rejection, and that his coalition partners are already proclaiming their intention to relaunch the war.

“This ceasefire was achieved through the application of pressure on both sides, but particularly on Netanyahu and the Israeli government. That pressure must be sustained in order for this agreement to endure and proceed past its first phase. We must not forget that the last seven months of deliberate starvation, mass bombardment and forced displacement by Israel began as Netanyahu refused to carry out all phases of the previously agreed ceasefire – continuing the war in order to preserve his coalition and rule. His government must not be allowed to break another ceasefire and continue its genocidal plans for the ethnic cleansing and annexation of Gaza. 

“As the specific terms for a permanent ceasefire are refined and implemented, the Trump Administration should take concrete steps toward a comprehensive end to the underlying decades-old conflict. Empowering Palestinian leaders who seek a just resolution with Israel, taking meaningful action against deepening Israeli occupation and annexation of Palestinian territory, and focusing diplomacy on universal recognition of Palestinian statehood as an integral part of multilateral normalization efforts will each be essential to achieving the goal of true peace in the Middle East.”

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