Letter to the Readers, Mainstream, Jan 18, 2025

Letter to the readers, Mainstream, 18 Jan 2025

A deal has been negotiated between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and is supposed to take effect starting Jan 19. All must welcome this ceasefire agreement. Let us hope there are no last-minute hick-ups and that the ceasefire happens and the process of release of Israeli hostages begins in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and ultimately ending the 15-month-long genocidal war that has killed over 60 thousand and displaced a million Palestinians. This much-needed ceasefire must absolutely be made to hold and all countries who have some influence must throw their weight to ensure the truce lasts. The Palestinians have paid a devastating price, and absolutely need time to heal. According to estimates 80 per cent of all places of habitation have been reduced to rubble in Gaza leaving hundreds of thousands homeless, with no roads, hospitals, or schools and no public infrastructure to deliver clean water, sanitation and all that is needed for basic survival. At the end of October 2024 the Israeli Parliament banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians (UNRAW) from operating in Israel, West Bank and Gaza. The absence of the UN relief agency at this crucial moment when food, fuel and relief are to resume entry into Gaza will make things very hard. India which has a huge presence in countries of West Asia, the Persian Gulf and long-standing relations with Palestinians must be seen to play a role in relief and reconstruction efforts. Civil society campaigns in India in solidarity with Palestinians must continue to push all democratic forces, and members of parliament to get the Government of India to commit to delivering essential relief for Palestinians now and to commit funds for years to come to support rebuilding homes, health and public infrastructure in Gaza.

January 18, 2025 —HK