Hamas militants celebrated a new ceasefire with Israel by parading through the streets of Gaza, brandishing weapons and chanting slogans, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The ceasefire, effective at 11:15 a.m., temporarily halts 15 months of violence, but Hamas’s public display has incited international outrage and concerns about the group’s resilience. Amidst the chaos, negotiations are underway for a hostage exchange, with some hostages expected to be released over the next six weeks. While humanitarian aid to Gaza increases, Israel remains focused on dismantling Hamas, emphasizing that the ceasefire is a temporary measure, not a resolution.
Hamas militants brazenly emerged from hiding to celebrate a new ceasefire with Israel, shamelessly parading through the streets of Gaza brandishing AK-47s and waving the group’s green flag.
Stunning footage shows masked fighters in camouflage and balaclavas, some standing on top of vehicles and others running counter-attacks through a town that has been reduced to rubble after months of fierce fighting. marching in progress.
The ceasefire, which took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time, temporarily halted 15 months of bloodshed.
But the sight of Hamas militants openly celebrating has sparked international outrage and renewed concerns that the terrorist group is managing to hold on despite Israel’s efforts to dismantle it.
Scenes of Hamas militants openly celebrating the ceasefire have drawn condemnation from many quarters, with critics saying they mock the lives lost and the ongoing suffering of the hostages and their families.
One observer said: “These images are a slap in the face to all those who have suffered from Hamas’ atrocities.”
“It shows they are unrepentant and ready to fight again.”
Chilling footage from the scene also showed Gazan militants and crowds chanting “Mohammed’s army is coming for the Jews” during the parade.
Members of the Izzuddin al-Qassam Brigades, an armed group of the Palestinian organization Hamas, participate in a parade celebrating the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
Fighters waved their guns in the air as they moved through the streets of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
A fighter with a gun waves his gun and points his finger to the sky
A man celebrates by planting a Palestinian flag on the antenna of a destroyed building that used to be a clinic for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jabalia camp, a Palestinian refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
A wider shot shows the destruction around the antenna, reducing the building to a collapsed shell.
As Gaza residents take cautious steps to return to normalcy, Mohamed Sinwar, the brother of notorious Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, is working to rebuild the group’s armed infrastructure. There have been reports that there are.
Sources warn that the group remains dangerous and has likely taken advantage of the chaos of the war to regroup.
Meanwhile, attention has been focused on the hostages taken in Hamas’s first attack on October 7, which sparked the conflict.
In what has been described as one of the bloodiest attacks in Israeli history, Hamas terrorists massacred 1,200 civilians, including women and children, and took more than 200 hostages.
Among the first hostages to be released is British national Emily Damali, 28.
Emily’s family continues to suffer as they are unable to confirm whether she is alive or dead, despite hopes of being released.
The family’s lawyer, Adam Rose, expressed the pain they had endured.
“Every minute is more torture. Emily’s name appeared on the release list this morning, but the question remains whether she is alive or dead,” he told The Sun. .
Initial reports said the freed hostages would be taken to medical facilities at designated points along the Gaza border before being reunited with their families.
The ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States outlines a complex roadmap for de-escalating tensions.
In the first phase, Hamas plans to release hostage women and children in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have not been convicted or tried.
The process began after several hours of tense negotiations, including delays due to Hamas’ failure to submit a list of hostages in time.
Eventually, the exchange was allowed to proceed.
Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, January 19.
Palestinians gather as Hamas militants prepare to hand over hostages kidnapped in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel to the Red Cross.
Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, hands over three female Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Al-Salaya as part of the first phase of the ceasefire.
A man throws a child into the air as displaced Palestinians celebrate in a tent camp following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip
A Palestinian man holds a Hamas flag near the Israeli military prison Ofer on the day Israel released Palestinian prisoners as part of a hostage and prisoner exchange.
The parade took place early Sunday as a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect.
A fighter wearing a face mask sits on top of a car while a Hamas ally stands behind him with his gun pointed upwards.
On January 19, a child was photographed celebrating with fighters in the Palestinian city of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Hamas militants took part in parade following long-awaited ceasefire with Israel
Palestinians celebrate ceasefire between Hamas and Israel at Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon
Dozens of hostages are expected to be returned over the next six weeks, with four released on the seventh day of the ceasefire, and releases continuing weekly thereafter.
In return, Israel agreed to allow increased humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This includes 600 truckloads of supplies each day, 50 of which will carry critical fuel to address humanitarian crises.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel stressed that its military objectives remain unchanged.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said dismantling Hamas and ensuring the return of all hostages remains a top priority.
“If Hamas had laid down its arms and released its hostages, this war could have ended long ago,” Saar said at a news conference.
“This is a temporary ceasefire, not a conclusion. If Hamas remains in power, instability in the region will continue and we will act to prevent it.”
Saar also criticized Hamas’s role in perpetuating the crisis, saying it had “brought destruction to Gaza and suffering to its people” while exploiting the group’s plight for political and military gain.
The ceasefire comes as Gaza faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire and release of hostages, mediator announced Wednesday
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades gather in al-Salaya before prisoner exchange
The region has been devastated by Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas strongholds, and Hamas claims more than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict.
Under the ceasefire agreement, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to northern Gaza while Israeli forces withdraw from major population centers.
But aid groups warn that the situation remains dire, with critical shortages of food, water and medical supplies.
The ceasefire agreement includes three key steps, starting with the cessation of current hostilities and the initial release of hostages.
In the second phase, the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will be released in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners.
The final phase is expected to begin after hostilities have completely ceased and will focus on reconciliation and reconstruction.
This includes efforts to locate and return the bodies of hostages who did not survive their captivity, and a long-term recovery plan for Gaza overseen by international authorities.
As the ceasefire continues, the focus will be on whether this fragile truce can pave the way to lasting peace, or whether it is merely a lull before the next chapter of violence.