Grieving communities hope Gaza ceasefire holds
Farid Farid |
A two-year war launched by Israel on Gaza after a stunning Hamas attack could be coming to close as fears abound for a tentative ceasefire to remain.
Israel launched the military offensive on Gaza which killed more than 67,000 people, including about 20,000 children, according to the United Nations.
It came after militant group Hamas launched a surprise operation on Israel which reportedly killed 1200 people, with more than 250 taken hostage.
One of those killed was Australian citizen Galit Carbone whose brother Danny Majzner paid tribute to her late Sunday in a vigil organised by several Jewish groups in Sydney with thousands in attendance.
Israeli ambassador Amir Maimon said he emphasised to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s future governance.
“We will not forget October 7, nor its victims including members of my own family,” he told the crowd as rain fell followed by a rainbow peering through the sky.
“We collectively hold our breath, cautiously optimistic that tomorrow our prayers will be answered and our brothers and sisters will be returned home to their families.”
As part of the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire deal, Hamas is due to release on Monday 48 hostages held in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive.
Israel in exchange will release around 2,000 Palestinians, including senior militants and those held without charge under what is known as administrative detention.
Former athlete and politician Nova Peris was received warmly with a standing ovation as she drew links between her Aboriginal heritage and Jewish people with Israel.
“I’m sorry for the lives lost and I’m sorry for the families that continue to mourn loved ones and I pray with you all for the safe return of those still held hostage enduring two years of hell,” she said.
Trade Minister Don Farrell said it was too early to discuss Australian peacekeepers possibly being deployed to the pummelled enclave.
“The important thing here is that a peace agreement has been achieved and that it holds into the future and there can be a resolution to the ongoing disputes in the Middle East,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
Shamikh Badra, a University of Sydney political science PhD student originally from Gaza, was worried for the safety of his elderly mother and the rest of his family.
“We don’t want a temporary ceasefire, we want to stop this genocide after two years of suffering and two years of watching and worrying” he told AAP.
Mr Badra’s brother and several members of his extended family, including children, were killed. He does not know where their bodies are buried in the rubble.
“What if my family in Khan Younis move again and the bombing starts again. Perhaps it will be more dangerous than before.”
AAP
