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Thousands of Palestinian citizens gathered on Sunday morning, January 26, 2025, to traverse Al-Rashid Street and return to Gaza City under an agreement brokered between Palestinian resistance factions and the Israeli occupation.
However, Israeli forces opened fire on the returning civilians, resulting in at least six casualties, including fatalities and injuries.
The agreement, which allowed for the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, had been part of a ceasefire signed on January 19 with regional and international mediation. The incident marks a serious breach of the agreement and has sparked condemnation from human rights organizations.
WJWC Condemns Israeli Actions
Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) issued a stern warning about Israel’s apparent policy of evading its commitments under the ceasefire. The organization highlighted that the actions of the Israeli army—targeting displaced civilians and preventing their return to the northern Gaza Strip—constitute violations of international law and amount to acts of genocide.
WJWC emphasized that the Israeli government’s refusal to fully implement the agreement and its ongoing closure of the Netzarim Corridor are deliberate measures aimed at displacing Gaza’s population. The organization stated, “These violations underscore the Israeli government’s intent to continue acts of genocide, as defined under international law, by creating living conditions designed to destroy the civilian population and force their displacement.”
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated areas in the world, is home to over 2.3 million people within a total area of just 365 square kilometers. Since 2007, Gaza has been subjected to a strict Israeli blockade. According to the United Nations, nearly two million people have been displaced since October 7, 2023, with 90% of the population forced to flee their homes multiple times.
Over the past 15 months, Israeli forces have been accused of committing widespread atrocities. Reports indicate that more than 47,000 Palestinians—the majority of them women and children—have been killed in indiscriminate and direct attacks. The destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure has also been devastating, with 80% of the territory’s buildings damaged or destroyed, including 350,000 housing units, healthcare facilities, schools, and essential utilities such as water and sewage networks.
WJWC expressed alarm over comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who on Sunday urged Jordan and Egypt to accept displaced Palestinians, citing chaos in Gaza. The organization described this as tacit support for Israeli policies aimed at forcibly displacing Gaza’s population, a violation of Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the transfer of protected persons from occupied territories.
“The international community must hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law,” WJWC stated. “Instead of rewarding those involved in acts of genocide, the world should prioritize justice for Palestinians, compensation for the damages they have endured, and the reconstruction of Gaza.”
The organization further criticized the failure of international parties to enforce International Court of Justice (ICJ) orders against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, arguing that this impunity emboldens further violations.
WJWC called on the international community to take urgent action to halt Israel’s violations and ensure accountability. The organization warned that continued inaction would contribute to the worsening humanitarian crisis and embolden efforts to forcibly displace the Palestinian population.
“The world must assume its historical responsibility and confront Israel’s violations to prevent further escalation and ensure justice for the people of Gaza,” WJWC concluded.
