HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in their war last week, eliciting reaction from some American organizations that advocate for the Palestine region.
Groups like the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace released statements on the deal, which involves the withdrawal of troops from Gaza, the release of hostages and the admittance of humanitarian aid to the city. Each of the organizations expressed support for the ceasefire but resisted the idea Palestine will be free from Israel.
“This expected ceasefire is welcome news and a long-overdue relief for every Palestinian survivor in Gaza who’s endured unfathomable daily horrors during this genocide, on top of decades of violent Israeli colonization,” the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights said in a social media post, although Israel has denied committing genocide.
“Now we must do everything in our power to end the genocide.”
The organization explained that genocide doesn’t end when “the bombs stop dropping.”
Israel has intentionally created conditions for “mass death” in Gaza by starving its residents, destroying the healthcare system, dismantling infrastructure, ruining sanitation systems and polluting the city, the group claimed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there is no starvation in Gaza, although he noted that the military’s attacks in the city were necessary to eliminate the presence of Hamas, a terrorist organization.
Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine has accused Israel of being dishonest in its dealings, including with the agreement to release Palestinian captives.
The group wrote in an X post on Monday that nearly 10,000 political prisoners remain behind bars, “and freedom will not be complete until every one of them has been freed, every inch of Palestine has been liberated, and our people have achieved the right of return from the river to the sea.” The National News Desk couldn’t confirm how many political prisoners are still incarcerated.
Jewish Voice for Peace, a Jewish anti-Israel organization, celebrated the ceasefire on Wednesday, although it criticized parts of the agreement.
“While a ceasefire does not bring an end to the genocide, right now we are holding tightly to the hope that Israel will in fact finally be compelled to the first elements of this agreement: halting the mass killing of Palestinians through bombardment, and stopping its blockade of food and medicine,” the group said in a statement.
Israel blocked aid from entering Gaza while there was fighting. A United Nations relief agency reported in August that it had not been able to deliver food, medicine or other essentials to the city for over 150 days.
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