January 30, 2025. Third stage of the ceasefire deal signed on January 15. First implemented on January 19, with the liberation of three Israeli hostages, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher, « against » the release of 69 Palestinian women and 21 teenagers. On the basis 1 Israeli civilian = 30 Palestinians.
That day, Sunday, January 19, arms were silenced for the first time in fifteen months. After a toll of around 50,000 people killed in Gaza and 840 Israelis.
January 24, 2025 : Four more hostages were released, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Karina Ariev, Liri Elbag, « against » 200 Palestinians. On the basis 1 Israeli soldier = 50 Palestinians. Although the lookouts were unarmed when they were captured in the Nahal Oz base.
January 27, 2025 : The Palestinian civilians deported to the Southern part of Gaza started walking home.
January 30, 2024 : Three more Israeli hostages were released, one Nahal Oz lookout, Agam Berger, and two civilians from Nir Oz, Gadi Moses, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, « against » 110 Palestinians – 50 for Agam Berger, and 60 for the two civilians.
On top of the deal, five Thai civilians, who worked on the border kibbutzim, were released : Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Srianoun, Bannawat Saethao, Surasak Lamnao.
Strangely, no Palestinians were released in exchange of the Thai bargaining chips.
The bottomless horror of these captures, kidnappings, and bargainings.
TOPSHOT – This aerial photo shows displaced Gazans walking toward Gaza City on January 27, 2025, after crossing the Netzarim corridor from the southern Gaza Strip. An unending stream of people marched up the coast of Gaza on January 27, carrying their belongings in plastic bags and repurposed flour sacks through the central city of Nuseirat after Israel reopened access to the territory’s north. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
« Our hearts are broken once again. How much more blood must be spilled? The rumors begin hours before the official announcement is made, naming the latest casualties in the war. If only we could take comfort in the thought that, in their death, these soldiers have bequeathed us life, or total victory. But our doubts persist.
Why did they die? What purpose did their deaths serve? We began the war knowing it was a just fight, critical for our national survival, the eradication of terror. But now? What are we really fighting for? What are we sacrificing the best among our children for? How many times will our troops return to operate in Jabaliya? There will always be more terrorists there and more rocket launchers.
The Gaza population numbers over two million, 500,000 of them men of fighting age. If only 100 join the terror forces each week, there would be more terrorists fighting our troops than the week before. The despair in the Strip brings even those who hate Hamas to consider joining its fight. So, what is it we are doing there?
[…] What is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waiting for? We’ve reached a stage where with every day of fighting, we cause more damage than good. What are the soldiers dying for?
[…] Fortitude of a nation depends on motivation, faith in the military, economic and political leadership and the belief in a joint cause, as well as the shared load among all Israelis. None of that exists now. The fallen, the dying hostages still held in Gaza and the reemergence of Hamas are all detrimental to our fortitude.
We are fine with the demand to give our blood, sweat and tears, but only when we have faith in the cause. That is diminishing with every passing day as the direction we are heading in becomes less clear. »
Ben-Dror Yemini, Casualties of war are devastating to confused nation, YNet News, January 12, 2025
January 15, 2025 : the news we had expected for a whole year.
Gaza ceasefire deal reached by Israel and Hamas
Facts on the ground :
Mounting losses, no endgame, YNet News, Yoav Zitun, January 15, 2025 :
The IDF concurs that fighting against Hamas will resume in the foreseeable future. Hamas will not be disarmed […] Even after the deal, Hamas will retain tens of miles of underground tunnels, enabling weapon production, recruitment and training.
[…] The government’s reluctance to make weighty political decisions, coupled with public apathy toward the mounting casualties and strained combat personnel, forces the army to fight slowly, with minimal efforts and in circles. The most challenging battles in Gaza are yet to come.
[…] Soldiers continue to fall, week after week, without a clear strategic goal to justify their sacrifices. If there were a real objective—one promising long-term security for the residents of southern Israel—it might make sense. But the price is steep, and as the funerals pile up, the question arises: What is all this for? There’s no vision, no true purpose—only circular fighting, hesitant ministers and a public more interested in Ryanair’s latest deals to Vienna and Berlin.
{…] Worn-out reservists are expected to serve, on average, two to three months in the coming year—after already enduring between six months and a year of service, and in some cases even more, since the war began. This level of reserve duty is unprecedented in the state’s history.
[…] The painful truth is clear to all: military cemeteries will continue to fill with young secular and religious soldiers alike in the coming year. Without bold political decisions—which remain conspicuously absent—there is no hope for meaningful change in the next 10 to 20 years.
