Israel and Hamas Declare Ceasefire

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza
– On January 18, Hamas announced an immediate ceasefire by its militants and allies.  The ceasefire was announced by Hamas’ deputy chief in Syria, Moussa Abou Marzouk.  In addition to immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, Hamas also demanded, “the opening of all the crossings for the entry of humanitarian aid, food and other necessities.”

Hamas’ statement followed Israel’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire on January 17.  On January 18, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert clarified Israel’s conditions of the ceasefire.  “If the firing continues, the IDF is prepared. We’ll know how to act without hesitations as required… The ceasefire decision leaves Israel with the freedom of power to respond and resume its military activities should the terror organizations continue firing… The ceasefire is fragile and must be examined minute after minute, hour after hour.”

In announcing the ceasefire, Olmert said that Israel has achieved its goals and that Hamas had been defeated – Hamas was badly damaged both militarily and in terms of government infrastructure; rocket factories and dozens of smuggling tunnels had been destroyed.  The success of the ceasefire depended on Hamas and Israeli troops would remain in Gaza for the time being.  According to Olmert, if Hamas held fire, the military would “consider pulling out of Gaza at a time that befits us.”

Following the announcement of the ceasefire, Israel rebuffed international calls for a timetable for withdrawal.  “We can’t talk about a timetable for withdrawal until we know the ceasefire is holding,” said Mark Regev, spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.  “If Hamas entirely ends its rocket fire on Israel, Israel will consider an IDF withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,” Olmert declared.  However, if that did not occur, he added, “The IDF will continue to operate in order to protect our citizens.”

The Israeli ceasefire went into effect at 2 am on January 18.  Israeli military kept up its assaults during the hours leading up to the ceasefire, and carried out more than 50 air raids overnight.  In addition, Israeli drones and helicopters were heard throughout the night and Gaza residents report that they heard troops and tanks in the streets.  Thus, despite the ceasefire going into effect, many Palestinians fear that fighting may resume at any moment.

While Israel claims that Operation Cast Lead diminished Hamas’ capability to launch rocket attacks from Gaza, in the 24 hours leading to the ceasefire, over 30 rockets and mortar rounds were fired into Israel from Gaza.  In addition, the ceasefire was subjected to an early test, with several rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel.  Israeli military responded with retaliatory air strikes. 

In addition, at least one Palestinian has been killed since the ceasefire went into effect.  Palestinian medics report that a 20-year-old man was shot near the southern town of Khan Yunis.  According to witnesses, the young man was a farmer checking on his farm.  Israeli army report that the young man was shot because he was approaching lands that the Israeli ground troops occupied.

Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, it is estimated that 1,203 Palestinians have been killed and over 5,000 injured.  It is estimated that nearly 400 of those killed were children and 100 were women.  Estimates are expected to increase as the ceasefire allows Palestinian medics and rescue teams to begin searching for bodies.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Dozens of Bodies Found in Gaza Rubble as Truce Punctured – 18 January 2009

Al Jazeera – Clashes Follow Israeli “Cessation” – 18 January 2009

BBC – Hamas Announces Ceasefire in Gaza – 18 January 2009

BBC – Israel Declares Ceasefire in Gaza – 18 January 2009

Guardian – Analysis: Israeli Ceasefire Offers Respite, But Little Has Changed – 18 January 2009

Ha’aretz – Hamas Announces Cease-fire in Gaza, Gives IDF Week to Leave – 18 January 2009

Ha’aretz – Israel: No Timetable for IDF Gaza Exits Until Militants Halt Attacks – 18 January 2009 l

Xinhua – First Palestinian Shot Dead After Israel’s Unilateral Ceasefire – 18 January 2009

Yedioth – Olmert: If Shooting Continues, We’ll Respond – 18 January 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive