Cease-fire is the beginning, not the end.

Matthew D'Agostino

Today, a deal has finally been reached for a cease-fire in Gaza. Over the last 15 months, the Israeli military has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, and recent reports indicate that the number of casualties is likely much higher. Tens of thousands more are buried under the rubble, and Israeli bombs have destroyed almost all of Gaza's infrastructure.

After so much devastation and death, we celebrate this cease-fire deal even as it comes far too late. We urge those in power to abide by the terms of the deal and their obligations under international law. It is imperative that the cease-fire brings a measure of relief and a surge of lifesaving humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

AFSC's work is guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light in every person. We want to express our profound admiration for our staff and partners in Gaza, and all the humanitarian workers, medical staff, journalists, and the untold number of Palestinians who have acted with love and courage to help people survive in impossible circumstances. And we are in deep gratitude for everyone around the world who protested, rallied, called and wrote their elected officials, and spoke out-despite repression-to demand an end to the genocide. These efforts were critical to bringing about a cease-fire.

The cease-fire deal is expected to be formalized on Sunday following an Israeli government vote and legal review period. There are multiple steps to be achieved throughout the three-stage negotiation process for the deal to become a permanent ceasefire, including the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, and a cessation of hostilities. Initial information indicates that the cease-fire will start with a six-week period during which trust will be built, prisoners and hostages will be released, and the Israeli military will begin its withdrawal.

There must be a commitment from the U.S. and others towards ensuring that this is not simply a pause but a permanent cease-fire. That means holding all parties accountable for violations. In Lebanon, Israel has violated the cease-fire terms approximately a hundred times without consequence; this is unacceptable and should not be allowed in Lebanon or in Gaza. Continued pressure is needed to ensure the terms of the deal are followed and push for a long-term political solution that brings an end to forced displacement, occupation, and apartheid in Palestine. We call for:

1. Immediate, full, and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza to alleviate famine, deliver lifesaving medical aid, and provide essential goods and services.
2. A complete withdrawal of the Israeli military from Gaza, a Palestinian-led process to determine Gaza's future, and a fully funded just reconstruction.
3. Free movement for Palestinians within the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory and an end to the nearly two-decade long siege imposed on Gaza
4. A transparent and impartial investigation into violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. We also call for unrestricted access to Gaza for international media.
5. Palestinian self-determination and an end to occupation, forced displacement, and apartheid imposed on Palestinians in all parts of Palestine.

As a U.S.-based Quaker organization we want in particular to hold our own government accountable. We need an embargo on U.S. arms sales to Israel in order to deter future atrocities. Genocide on this scale would not have been possible without billions of dollars in U.S. military funding, and the Biden administration could have forced a cease-fire at any time over the past 15 months.

Hearing the news of an impending cease-fire, Firas Ramlawi, an AFSC staff member in Gaza wrote: "I will search for my voice that disappeared amidst the sounds of the explosions and the echo of the frightening silence, reveal in it I will find the remains of a human being who refuses to be destroyed."

Today we hold in the Light all those who have been killed and injured, all who mourn, and all who have survived. In the days, weeks, and months that follow, Palestinians in Gaza will return to where their homes, schools, and communities once stood only to find life as they knew it destroyed. We share their pain and extend our love and solidarity with them. It falls to all of us who watched this destruction from afar to help rebuild and to ensure dignity and freedom are restored for all Palestinians.

We will continue to work with our staff and partners in Gaza to make this a reality. We will continue to honor the Light in every person as we work for a just and lasting peace. And we know that the only path to achieving peace is by addressing the root causes of violence and building systems grounded in justice, self-determination, and human rights.

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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.