Ceasefire in Gaza: What’s Next?

After 471 days of Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, a long-awaited ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, January 19. This ceasefire provides a temporary and much-needed respite for the region and may open the door to hope and an effective de-escalation of violence. 

The ceasefire comes 15 months late, with similar proposals already accepted by Palestinian factions since November 2023 and the same agreement proposed in May 2024, which the Israeli government refused to accept. 

The ceasefire does not put an end to the violations of international law that Israel continues to perpetrate against the Palestinian population. It does not stop the colonization, apartheid, and military occupation that Israel imposes on Palestinians, depriving them of their fundamental rights and freedoms. 

Ultimately, this ceasefire is good and much-needed news, but it is not a solution. 

The current reality demands urgent action to address the roots of oppression 

In recent months, Israel has forcibly displaced 90% of the population, using hunger as a weapon of war and destroying 65% of Gaza’s homes and infrastructure. The Lancet magazine reported that the number of Palestinians killed by Israel in the past 15 months may be estimated at around 64,000—40% higher than official figures. 

In the West Bank, during the past 15 months, the Israeli government has illegally annexed over 2,400 hectares of Palestinian land and forcibly displaced more than 6,635 people by demolishing homes or other vital community structures, and/or as a result of violence and harassment by armed settlers. Military incursions have increased, particularly in refugee camps, with over 824 people killed in the West Bank since October 2023. 

On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel responsible for committing the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. Subsequently, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding the end of the Israeli occupation and the withdrawal of illegal settlements before September 2025. The ICJ ruling and the UN resolution are a clear call to adopt policies and measures that ensure their enforcement and protect the human rights of the Palestinian people. 

The ceasefire represents a moment of hope, but it must become a starting point for transformative action that guarantees compliance with international law. 

 

What must be done now?

(1) Promote respect for the ceasefire and its subsequent phases.

The current agreement, divided into three phases, includes Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza and a full ceasefire only in the final stage—a result that, based on historical patterns, may never materialize. However, with sanctions and embargoes on arms and energy, there is still time to enforce its compliance. Immediate collective action is needed to demand adherence to the ceasefire agreements and the implementation of the UN resolution of September 18, 2024. We are concerned that presenting the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire as a major collective victory, without stressing the importance of enforcing the final agreement, may compromise the success of the entire accord.

(2) Demand sufficient and sustained humanitarian access and reject the instrumentalization of aid.

Ongoing efforts to replace UNRWA and the UN-coordinated humanitarian system—with all its flaws—with private contractors aligned with the Israeli government’s interests undermine the integrity of humanitarian efforts. It is crucial to reject any governance or aid delivery plans that contradict the principles of international humanitarian law. Humanitarian aid must be fully accessible across Gaza and the West Bank.

(3) Hold war criminals accountable for their actions.

Respect for international law obliges the international community and civil society to demand justice for war crimes, apartheid, genocide, and other serious violations. Supporting the work of the International Criminal Court in prosecuting war criminals is essential. Only a commitment to restorative justice can lay the foundation for non-repetition.

(4) Demand arms embargo, energy embargo, and sanctions.

This is not merely an ethical issue—it is a legal obligation. Sanctions and ending complicity with Israel were approved by a global majority of 124 states in the UN General Assembly and reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice this year. These legal obligations do not end with the ceasefire. We call for support for the many civil society campaigns demanding justice. In this context, it is a priority for the Government of Catalonia to suspend the promotion of Israel as a priority commercial area through ACCIÓ and, together with the Barcelona City Council, to prevent the participation of Israeli and international companies profiting from genocide or the system of occupation and apartheid against the Palestinian people in the Barcelona Trade Fair, as well as to ban contracts with such companies.

(5) Lead political and negotiation processes to implement the UN General Assembly resolution of September 18, 2024.

We call on the international community to address the root causes of the conflict and work towards a political, negotiated solution that ensures equal rights for the Palestinian people to live in freedom and dignity, in line with international law and UN resolutions.