Cease fire deal signed gives hope at last

January 2025

The cease fire deal signed yesterday, ahead of a full peace deal, timed to start the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, is very welcome. It has taken a long time in coming. Haaretz reports that Netanyahu was ‘bulldozed’ into the deal by the Trump team. We must sincerely hope that it lasts. Gisha in a statement says it is ‘hopeful but not optimistic‘. It is worth pondering on the destruction caused and the following are the best estimates of the deaths, injuries and other losses during the conflict:

Palestinians killed in Gaza: 46,707

Children confirmed killed in Gaza: 13,319

Palestinians reported buried under rubble in Gaza: 11,000

Palestinians injured in Gaza: 110,265

Palestinians displaced in Gaza: 1.9 million (90% of the population)

Attacks on healthcare facilities during the war: 654

Health workers killed: 1,060

Schools damaged or destroyed: 534 (95% of schools)

Children out of formal education: 660,000 (all school-age children)

Homes damaged or destroyed: 436,000 (92% of total)

People killed inside Israel on 7 October 2023: about 1,200

People abducted to Gaza from Israel on 7 October 2023: 251

Hostages still in Gaza in January 2025: 101 (37 believed dead)

These are taken from a piece in today’s Guardian newspaper (16 January) which is a full summary of the damage done to the territory.

We shall be holding a Vigil today, Saturday 18th in the Market Place near the Library starting at 5pm as usual. We will hold what we hope may be our last Vigil the following Saturday 25th.

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Gisha is an Israeli human rights organisation.