Gaza ceasefire announcement given cautious welcome in Derry

The announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza has been ‘cautiously’ welcomed in Derry.

The deal was announced this week by US President Donald Trump following negotiations with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in The White House. 

The objectives include demilitarising Gaza, supplying humanitarian aid and releasing Palestinian prisoners and Israeli captives.

Since the latest outbreak of hostilities in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, numerous marches, rallies and demonstrations have been held in the city attracting large numbers of people, showing their support for the Palestinian people.

Prominent Palestinian campaigner, Catherine Hutton welcomed the long-awaited announcement of the ceasefire and hostage deal that is set to see humanitarian aid returning to the war-torn region. 

A founding member of the Rise for Palestine campaign group said she was “relieved” for the people of Gaza but expressed her concerns about humanitarian aid reaching the population. 

“For the people of Gaza themselves I am as I’m sure we all are absolutely relieved that they are getting a reprieve from the slaughter. 

“The major concern is the aid. But it’s incumbent now that these people get the help they need,” she said. 

Ms Hutton said the ceasefire was “just the first step” but stressed the need for “big changes, major changes” and the development of “a long-term solution”. 

People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin shared his concerns about the ceasefire deal. 

Cllr Harkin gave a cautious welcome to the agreement but stressed that humanitarian aid should be the key focus of the proposals. 

“Gaza should be immediately flooded with aid and medical support. Palestinians should not be forced anywhere or blocked from returning to their homes and land,” he said.

Cllr Harkin ‘saluted’ the people of Derry for showing their support for Palestine. 

“The protests, the strikes, the occupations, the flotillas and global opinion has exposed government and corporate complicity and brought tremendous pressure to stop Israel's barbarism,” he said. 

Sinn Féin councillor Pat Murphy said “the talks breakthrough represents a pivotal moment for the people of Palestine” that “a potential opportunity now exists to establish a peace process.” 

Cllr Murphy urged the US government and other stakeholders to remain dedicated to delivering the objectives of the agreement, “ensuring a withdrawal of all Israeli forces, and demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip”.

Cllr Murphy said:  “The creation of a permanent peace process established within the framework of international law and its success, will depend on all sides continuing to negotiate with good faith. Agreements made must be honoured. Guarantees on implementation will be essential. That extends to the US and other guarantors holding Israel to its commitments, ensuring a withdrawal of all Israeli forces, and demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.”