Palestine Diaspora Movement

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Never Trust A Zionist Ceasefire

Palestine Diaspora Movement

Palestinians celebrate the ceasefire brokered by Egypt between Israel and Hamas in Gaza City [Mahmud Hams/AFP]

After 15 months of brutal genocide, the Zionist enemy accepted the same ceasefire terms that Hamas proposed 8 months ago, with nothing to show for it. None of the goals of the “Israeli” regime were accomplished. Netanyahu was forced to concede to the deal because he suffered a humiliating loss. “Israel” failed to secure the return of all hostages or dismantle Hamas both as a political party and a military regime. The notion of eradicating Hamas proved to be futile because it is not just a group but an enduring idea that cannot be killed. Contrary to their objectives, resistance has gained the support of people worldwide.

The first stage of the ceasefire is set to last 42 days and involves four basic principles.

1.) There will be a temporary halt of mutual military operations between the “Israeli” occupation forces and Hamas.

2.) The withdrawal of the “Israeli” military from Gaza will occur in stages over several weeks. Initially, the IOF will pull back to areas along the border, moving eastward from densely populated zones with significant withdrawals from key areas like al-Rashid Street and Netzarim, eventually leading to a minimal presence near the border.

3.) Coined as "The Great Return of Gaza, 2025," this phase marks the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, starting from the southern regions and moving northward.The “Israeli military” installations and checkpoints will be dismantled.

4.) There will be a significant increase in humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza. This includes the daily entry of 600 trucks, of which 50 are designated for fuel, along with other essential supplies like food, medicine, and necessary equipment for infrastructure reconstruction.

Hamas will release 33 “Israeli” detainees, including living individuals or the bodies of deceased, which includes women, children under the age of 19, the elderly over the age of 50, and sick or wounded civilians. Israel will release 30 elderly and sick Palestinian detainees for each elderly Israeli hostage, and 50 Palestinian “prisoners” for each “Israeli” female soldier released. This includes those serving life sentences and various other sentences. The process also stipulates the release of all Palestinian women and children detained after October 7, 2023. Additionally, those who had previously escaped from prison in 2021 are expected to be among those freed.

Map of Gaza, labeled by PDM team - 2025

It took more than eight months to approve the ceasefire agreement—more than half the length of the genocide. The exact same deal, the exact same terms that were on the table in May, were repeatedly rejected, dragging out negotiations and raising hopes among Palestinians in Gaza, only for them to collapse each time. The sticking points varied, from the Philadelphi Corridor to hostage exchanges (as seen in the graphic below).

For eight months, the love for murder, genocide, and ethnic-cleansing prevented the genocidal war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet from accepting what was already there. That changed on January 15— after one of the deadliest and bloodiest months the IOF faced from the resistance in Gaza. Even after the deal was accepted on January 15, it was inexplicably set to take effect on January 19 at 8:30 AM. Yet, even as the ceasefire was supposedly in place, the Zionist regime continued its assault, bombing the Gaza Strip past the agreed time, murdering and injuring more Palestinians in blatant violation of the deal.

Why did it take more than eight months to approve the exact same agreement that had been on the table all along—only to continue the slaughter even after agreeing to stop?

A look at the U.S. Department of Defense’s statement shows the double standard—Palestinians are given strict demands, while Zionists are merely asked to comply at its own discretion:

Israel’s Violatiions of Prior Ceasefires, visual by https://visualizingpalestine.org/visuals/

Despite the ceasefire, the “Israeli” military continued its assaults, and it took eight days for Gazans to be allowed to return to northern Gaza. In the meantime, thousands of displaced Palestinians were forced to sleep in the open, stranded between the south and the north, with no shelter, food, or security.

Even when they were finally permitted to return, the “Israeli” army brazenly violated the ceasefire—firing on civilians, killing 2, including a five-year-old Palestinian girl, and injuring several others as they attempted to make their way home. Now, newly uncovered details reveal Trump’s plan to deport Gazans to Egypt and Jordan—a move that can only be described as blatant ethnic cleansing.

And while Gaza experiences a so-called ceasefire, “Israeli” forces have unleashed violent attacks on Jenin, as if the Occupied West Bank were an entirely different country. Continuing the Zionist settler expansion and illegal encroachment on sovereign Palestinian land- opening the way for violent Zionist terrorist gangs to unleash hell in the West Bank. The slaughter has not stopped, it has simply expanded to terrorize more Palestinians. “Israel” never made a ceasefire with Palestine or the Palestinian people—only with Hamas—giving its occupation forces free rein to continue their crimes without pause.

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