Ceasefire Agreement Must Be Adopted and Made Permanent with Critical Gaps Addressed to End Suffering in Gaza

The announcement of a potential temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas offers a glimmer of hope amidst a 15-month Israeli military offensive that has caused unparalleled suffering, widespread destruction, and the deaths of at least 47,000 Palestinians.  

However, Israel has yet to formally accept the ceasefire, and the agreement itself contains critical gaps. 

The initial six-week pause outlined must allow urgent and lifesaving humanitarian aid into Gaza and be the first step toward a permanent ceasefire, ending the war on Gaza and addressing the root causes of this ongoing crisis, including the occupation of Palestine. 

DRC welcomes the agreement and temporary ceasefire, including the critical release of all hostages.  Yet, we remain deeply concerned about the implementation, recalling the lessons from Lebanon’s ceasefire, where enforcement gaps led to hundreds of violations of the ceasefire by Israeli forces since the November 27th 2024 ceasefire agreement, and left civilians vulnerable to harm and ongoing violations of international law. It is essential that the ceasefire in Gaza ensures civilians receive the protection and aid they have been denied for far too long.  

Yet, the agreement has critical and concerning gaps that will perpetuate the suffering of Palestinians. While it includes the release of 1,000 Palestinians from detention and prison, more than 14,000 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank alone as well as many more in Gaza since the beginning of the current military offensive, many held under administrative detention, without charge or trial. All Palestinians held indefinitely without charge, as well as those detained on charges lacking credible evidence, must also be released.   

In addition, aid and supplies must be based on need rather than arbitrary numbers, and Israel must allow the entry of essential supplies, including those it classifies as dual-use. As people return to their homes or attempt to find shelter amid widespread destruction, clearance of explosive ordnance is paramount, given the significant risk posed by the extensive presence of explosive ordnance. 

Lilu Thapa, DRC’s Executive Director for the Middle East and North Africa said, "After more than a year of destruction and obstruction to relief efforts, humanitarian aid and support must be urgently facilitated to address the desperate needs of Gaza’s population.

Civilians face catastrophic conditions, with decimated infrastructure, scarce resources, and a mental health crisis that requires immediate intervention.

Recovery and reconstruction will not be possible unless the siege on Gaza is lifted, ensuring access to essential supplies, medical care, and opportunities for rebuilding lives and livelihoods.” 

The international community must seize this opportunity to push for meaningful progress to ensure an end to the occupation of Palestine in line with international law and a just and lasting resolution that upholds the fundamental rights of a people that have endured the unthinkable.