FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2025
Freedom House Welcomes Reported Agreement to End Fighting in the Gaza Strip
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All parties should adhere to its terms and work toward a future in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace, security and liberty.
WASHINGTON—In response to reports of a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, Freedom House interim Copresident Annie Boyajian issued the following statement:
“Freedom House welcomes this agreement to end the devastating 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip, which has caused egregious and unacceptable suffering for hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza. We call on Israeli authorities and all Palestinian armed groups to adhere to the terms of the agreement through each of its phases. Most urgently, as stipulated for the first phase, they should release the designated tranche of hostages and prisoners, facilitate the unfettered distribution of humanitarian assistance, and ensure the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza.
“Beyond the initial relief efforts, it is imperative that local, regional, and international actors work in concert to lay a foundation for lasting peace and security, which will only be possible if both Israelis and Palestinians are able to enjoy the benefits of democracy in free and sovereign states, with governments that are responsible to voters, subject to the rule of law, and committed to fundamental human rights. In keeping with this goal, anyone who violated international humanitarian law in the course of the recent conflict should be held accountable for their actions through a fair and impartial judicial process.
“A lasting peace will also depend on the expansion of democracy across the region, which is currently one of the least free in the world. Even as they focus on recovery and peacebuilding at home, Israelis and Palestinians—and all those around the globe who take an interest in their well-being—should encourage democratic progress in surrounding nations, particularly those whose authoritarian regimes could pose a threat to the sustainability of today’s life-saving armistice.”
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