The announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar and the United States, has brought a collective sigh of relief. Israel is expected to vote on the agreement Thursday, with the ceasefire set to take effect on Sunday.

This development offers a glimmer of hope that Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people may finally come to an end after over 460 days of relentless brutality. The past fifteen months have starkly exposed the barbaric nature of Israel’s settler-colonial project and the complicity of its international allies—most notably the UK, US, and Germany. In Gaza alone, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, with the true number likely far higher. Essential infrastructure—universities, places of worship, water treatment plants, hospitals, and countless homes—lies in ruins. The full scale of the destruction and its long-term impact on Gaza’s population remain incalculable.

While the ceasefire is a welcome step, questions remain about potential secret assurances made by the United States to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There are concerns that the U.S. may continue to overlook critical issues, such as Israeli colonisation of the West Bank, settler expansion into Syrian territory, and interference with International Criminal Court (ICC) processes.

This ceasefire, though significant, represents only the minimum threshold for progress. The struggle for justice demands a complete end to Israeli settler colonialism, occupation, and apartheid. Palestinians must achieve their full rights and self-determination. Those responsible for the genocide—from Israeli leaders and Occupation Forces to enablers around the globe—must face accountability. In the UK, politicians who supplied Israel with military and diplomatic support, as well as media outlets that echoed Israeli narratives, must also be held to account.

Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, emphasised, “After over fifteen months of Israeli genocide, we see a glimmer of hope. We are grateful to all those who protested, campaigned, and helped to bring this genocide to a halt. Yet, our work is far from over. Those responsible for these atrocities, including our own politicians and media, must face justice. We must remain vigilant against Israel’s broader ambitions to dominate all of historic Palestine. This ceasefire should strengthen our resolve to push for the end of occupation, apartheid, and the siege of Gaza. Since October 2023, the true nature of Israel’s settler-colonial project has been laid bare for the world to see. It is imperative that this awareness fuels our collective movement to ensure Palestine is free.”

This ceasefire is not the end but a vital step forward. The pursuit of freedom, justice, and dignity for Palestine continues.