Ceasefire at a Cost of Ongoing Bombardment and Unmet Justice in Gaza
January 16th, 2025
Justice For All Canada is encouraged to learn of the ceasefire agreement set to commence on January 19, 2025. The announcement offers a shamefully delayed yet momentary respite for Palestinians in Gaza after enduring over 15 months of relentless bombardment and deprivation by Israeli forces. However, we join many in expressing doubt about the ceasefire’s effectiveness, as evidenced by the killing of at least 72 Palestinians in Gaza following its announcement.
This prolonged genocide has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians—most women and children—the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the forced displacement of approximately 1.9 million individuals, constituting over 90% of Gaza's population. Despite the cessation of hostilities, the humanitarian crisis persists. The United Nations reports that less than half of Gaza's hospitals are operational, water production is severely limited, and nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million residents face food insecurity.
Israeli authorities have intentionally been depriving Palestinian civilians in Gaza of adequate access to water since October 2023. According to Human Rights Watch, this amounts to crimes against humanity of extermination and acts of genocide. Amnesty also previously concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing relentless bombardment, forced displacement, and denial of essential services leading to the collapse of water, sanitation, food production, and healthcare systems.
The ongoing ceasefire does little to address the extensive violations of international law documented throughout the conflict, as both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) continue to investigate allegations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. On July 19, 2024, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as illegal under international law. The Court concluded that Israel must end its illegal occupation, cease establishing new settlements, evacuate existing ones, and provide reparations for Palestinians who have lost land and property. The ICJ found that Israeli laws enforcing separation between Palestinians and settlers constitute racial segregation and apartheid, in breach of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
On November 21, 2024, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing reasonable grounds to believe they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including wilful killing, persecution, and intentionally directing attacks against civilians in Gaza.
Lastly, this ceasefire does not absolve the international community from addressing the root causes of Israel’s apartheid of the Occupied Palestinian territories. Sustainable peace requires dismantling systemic oppression and ensuring equal rights and justice for all Palestinians in the region. To address these grave issues, it is imperative that Israel immediately lifts its illegal blockade of Gaza to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, including vital medical supplies and materials necessary for infrastructure repair. Canada and the international community must hold Israeli authorities accountable for alleged acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, ensuring justice and reparations for Palestinian victims.
In this interim period, we urge the Canadian government to take immediate and decisive actions to address the implications of the ceasefire and align its policies with international law and human rights standards through the following urgent actions:
Justice For All Canada is encouraged to learn of the ceasefire agreement set to commence on January 19, 2025. The announcement offers a shamefully delayed yet momentary respite for Palestinians in Gaza after enduring over 15 months of relentless bombardment and deprivation by Israeli forces. However, we join many in expressing doubt about the ceasefire’s effectiveness, as evidenced by the killing of at least 72 Palestinians in Gaza following its announcement.
This prolonged genocide has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians—most women and children—the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the forced displacement of approximately 1.9 million individuals, constituting over 90% of Gaza's population. Despite the cessation of hostilities, the humanitarian crisis persists. The United Nations reports that less than half of Gaza's hospitals are operational, water production is severely limited, and nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million residents face food insecurity.
Israeli authorities have intentionally been depriving Palestinian civilians in Gaza of adequate access to water since October 2023. According to Human Rights Watch, this amounts to crimes against humanity of extermination and acts of genocide. Amnesty also previously concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, citing relentless bombardment, forced displacement, and denial of essential services leading to the collapse of water, sanitation, food production, and healthcare systems.
The ongoing ceasefire does little to address the extensive violations of international law documented throughout the conflict, as both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) continue to investigate allegations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. On July 19, 2024, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as illegal under international law. The Court concluded that Israel must end its illegal occupation, cease establishing new settlements, evacuate existing ones, and provide reparations for Palestinians who have lost land and property. The ICJ found that Israeli laws enforcing separation between Palestinians and settlers constitute racial segregation and apartheid, in breach of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
On November 21, 2024, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing reasonable grounds to believe they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including wilful killing, persecution, and intentionally directing attacks against civilians in Gaza.
Lastly, this ceasefire does not absolve the international community from addressing the root causes of Israel’s apartheid of the Occupied Palestinian territories. Sustainable peace requires dismantling systemic oppression and ensuring equal rights and justice for all Palestinians in the region. To address these grave issues, it is imperative that Israel immediately lifts its illegal blockade of Gaza to allow unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, including vital medical supplies and materials necessary for infrastructure repair. Canada and the international community must hold Israeli authorities accountable for alleged acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, ensuring justice and reparations for Palestinian victims.
In this interim period, we urge the Canadian government to take immediate and decisive actions to address the implications of the ceasefire and align its policies with international law and human rights standards through the following urgent actions:
- Officially recognize the State of Palestine and its right to self-determination without conditioning this recognition on negotiations with Israel.
- Cease all exports, imports, and transfers of military goods to and from Israel, including closing loopholes that allow arms transfers via third-party states.
- Impose substantial sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence, as well as Israeli officials inciting or perpetuating human rights violations.
- Cease political and financial support for Israeli military operations and denounce Israel’s international crimes, ensuring diplomatic measures to enforce compliance with international law.
- Conduct a thorough review of Canada-Israel agreements to ensure they do not support the illegal occupation or settlement activities.
- Advocate for the removal of all settlers from occupied Palestinian territories and ensure reparations for Palestinians whose land and livelihoods have been affected.
- Investigate and prosecute Canadians serving in the Israeli Defence Forces for potential war crimes under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.
- Commit to arresting Israeli officials such as Netanyahu and Gallant if they enter Canadian territory following the ICC warrant.