Yesterday (January 15) it was announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire. This is due to come into force next Sunday (January 19th) and provides for the withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces from Palestine and the release of all remaining hostages. The United Nations also said the agreement allows for the expansion of aid to the Palestinians. Several stars have now reacted to this news.
Ceasefire in Gaza: Hope for the release of the hostages
Sharon Osbourne shared a post on her story naming the hostages taken to Gaza. The hope is that as part of the negotiated deal, all 98 people will be released by Hamas. However, it can be assumed that there are also more dead among the people still held in Gaza.
However, many stars such as Gal Gadot, Mark Hamill and Amy Schumer who support Israel are still holding back from making a statement. It still remains to be seen whether Hamas will keep its end of the bargain.
Primal Scream shared an Instagram story with a picture of wounded Palestinian children and wrote that the deal was “a ceasefire in name only.” Bella Hadid, who is of Palestinian descent and has repeatedly campaigned for an end to the war alongside her model sister Gigi, shared a clip of Palestinians celebrating the deal on her Instagram story. “My heart is broken,” she wrote. “There’s so much to say.”
Macklemore also spoke up – the rapper shared his joy on social media with a clip. This supposedly shows children who have just found out about the ceasefire. “Tears… Ceasefire!!! FREE PALESTINE,” he wrote.
Paloma Faith wrote in an Instagram story that she was “almost sad and scared now about the ceasefire.” “I worry about what they will do before the ceasefire and after and what trauma will be suffered by all the families who have witnessed unspeakable things, been tortured, lost family members, all the orphaned children, the childless parents, the PTSD that they will live with forever.”
The BBC has counted 97 Israeli air strikes on targets in humanitarian zones in Gaza since May 2024. The Israeli army admits to being responsible for some of the attacks. However, the Israeli government said they only targeted Hamas fighters who were in the humanitarian zone and who attacked Israel from there.