Statement on the announcement of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Home / Statement on the announcement of a Gaza Ceasefire Deal
January 15, 2025

We welcome today’s announcement of a ceasefire and the planned exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees with profound relief and express our deep gratitude to the mediators and negotiators whose persistent efforts made this breakthrough possible.

This pause in hostilities represents both an immediate humanitarian imperative and a critical window of opportunity that must be seized to prevent further loss of life. Our Palestinian and Israeli colleagues, who have demonstrated remarkable courage throughout this prolonged crisis, are contributing all of their talents and expertise toward the goal of transforming this temporary ceasefire into a permanent cessation of violence and, ultimately, into a permanent peace.

The immediate priorities are clear and urgent. We must support Palestinians and Israelis as they mourn and honor the tens of thousands of lives lost to this devastating war and care for the tens of thousands more it has left wounded, traumatized, and malnourished. The monumental task of rebuilding Gaza requires more than physical reconstruction – the scale of devastation will require years of sustained commitment to support healing and recovery.

Over the longer term, an inclusive political process that addresses the roots of this conflict – alongside persistent and adaptive community-based dialogue, trust-building and reconciliation – is the only way to achieve sustainable peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

Recognizing these short- and long-term needs, our organization commits to:

  • Mobilizing international support for comprehensive rebuilding and recovery
  • Providing resources for trauma healing, recovery, and community reconciliation
  • Supporting locally-led initiatives that promote dialogue and build trust within and, ultimately, between Palestinian and Israeli communities
  • Facilitating inclusive political processes that address root causes of conflict
  • Forging robust links between community-based peacebuilding and political negotiations

This ceasefire must mark not merely a pause, but a decisive turn from violence and the conditions that breed violence toward a peaceful future in which Palestinians and Israelis live with dignity, security, hope, and justice. We welcome and are eager to work with all parties, within and outside the region, who share this vision.

This statement is accurate as of January 15th, 2025

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