After 15 months of Israel’s military campaign against the Palestinian people—on land that Israel continues to illegally occupy—Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and captive release deal. However, much remains uncertain for Palestinians.
While the ceasefire has temporarily reduced the intensity of Israel’s assaults on Gaza and facilitated the return of some captives, it does not prevent Israel from continuing its attacks, ensure accountability for its war crimes, or bring justice for Palestinians. Here are nine critical issues to watch as the ceasefire progresses.
1. Israel violating the ceasefire deal
The ceasefire agreement is structured into three phases, including a pause in hostilities, phased releases of captives, increased humanitarian aid, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
However, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated the ceasefire, killing at least 14 Palestinians, including three children, many of whom were displaced persons attempting to return home. On 26 January 2025, Israel also violated its ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, killing 24 people and injuring 134 others. These provocations risk reigniting violence and derailing the fragile ceasefire.
2. Uncertainty over future stages of the deal
The later stages of the agreement—concerning Gaza’s reconstruction and governance—remain unresolved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies may seek to sabotage any further negotiations, given their stated goal of eliminating the Palestinian presence in Gaza.
Additionally, longstanding disputes over borders, Jerusalem’s status, and Israeli settlements remain unaddressed, leaving fundamental issues unresolved.
3. Escalation in the West Bank
Since the ceasefire began, Israel has intensified its military operations in the occupied West Bank, killing at least 20 Palestinians, detaining 90, and displacing over 3,000 families. The city of Qalqiliya, which is largely cut off by illegal Israeli settlements, has been particularly affected.
If Israel’s occupation ended in compliance with international law, arbitrary detentions and violent raids would significantly decrease. However, Israel continues to defy legal rulings and international condemnation.
4. Re-arrest of Palestinian captives
As of 28 January 2025, approximately 300 Palestinian captives have been released, including over 90 women and children. However, many of these individuals were never formally charged or were sentenced in Israeli military courts notorious for their lack of due process.
There is no guarantee that Israel will not re-arrest, imprison, or even execute those it has released. Israel has a long history of reneging on prisoner release deals, and more than 10,000 Palestinians—including 320 children—remain in Israeli custody under conditions that include torture and abuse.
5. UK complicity in Israel’s actions
Despite overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy continue to provide political, economic, and military support to Israel.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes. However, the UK refuses to enforce international law, effectively enabling Israel’s continued aggression.
6. Western media and political hypocrisy
Western media and politicians have disproportionately focused on the release of Israeli captives while largely ignoring the plight of Palestinian detainees. Keir Starmer and David Lammy, in their initial statements on the ceasefire, failed to mention the Palestinians unjustly detained by Israel.
This double standard echoes Britain’s historical neglect of Palestinian rights, dating back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which facilitated the Zionist movement without consulting the Palestinian majority population.
7. US president Donald Trump’s support for Israel
US President Donald Trump has emboldened Israel’s expansionist policies by lifting sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers on his first day in office. His administration’s pro-Israel stance suggests further backing for illegal land grabs and increased settler violence.
Trump’s key allies, such as US Ambassador to the UN Elise Stefanik and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, have made inflammatory remarks denying Palestinian identity and rights. Trump himself has expressed support for the forced displacement of Palestinians, referring to Gaza as a problem to be “cleaned out.”
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8. Dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza
Although the ceasefire has allowed limited humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, the situation remains catastrophic. Over 160,000 homes have been destroyed, forcing Palestinians to search through rubble for possessions and remains of loved ones.
Israel’s blockade continues to prevent adequate aid from reaching 2.2 million Palestinians, and on 30 January 2025, Israel is set to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the main provider of humanitarian assistance to displaced Palestinians. The UN has warned of a looming humanitarian disaster.
9. Ceasefire ignores Israel’s ethnic cleansing and occupation
The ceasefire deal does not address Israel’s systemic ethnic cleansing, illegal occupation, and apartheid policies. The illegal blockade of Gaza, imposed since 2007, remains in place, and millions of Palestinian refugees are still denied their right to return.
Israel’s impunity continues, with unwavering support from Western powers. Without accountability, there can be no justice or lasting peace for the Palestinian people.
Conclusion
The ceasefire may have temporarily slowed Israel’s violence, but it does nothing to address the root causes of the crisis: illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid. The international community must take action to hold Israel accountable and ensure a just resolution for the Palestinian people.
