
People check the destruction in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at the Al-Farabi school in the centre of Gaza City, which is sheltering displaced Palestinians. AFP
"While yesterday Israeli officials and Hamas agreed to a multi-phase ceasefire, the heinous crimes committed on and since October 7, 2023, should not go unpunished," said HRW chief Tirana Hassan.
Hassan was speaking at a press conference to launch the organization's annual report, in which it condemned Israel for committing "crimes against humanity" and "genocide" in its war on Gaza.
Qatar and the United States announced on Wednesday the ceasefire deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas in the 15-month-long war. However, Israeli airstrikes have continued, killing at least 80 people and injuring dozens in the last 24 hours.
"Whilst the ceasefire will bring some relief for the millions of displaced inside Gaza, it won't be a solution in and of itself," said Hassan.
At least 1.9 million people -- or 90 percent of Gaza's population -- have been displaced by Israel's brutal war on the territory, according to UN estimates.
An estimated 345,000 people in Gaza face "catastrophic levels" of food insecurity, the UN says.
"What will be required moving forward is humanitarian access, and that by that, we're talking about the Israeli authorities, allowing materials in to rebuild the infrastructure, including the water infrastructure and the health system, which has been decimated during this conflict, as well as humanitarian relief," Hassan said.
Much of Gaza has been levelled by Israel's brutal assault on the Palestinian territory, which has killed 46,788 people, mostly women and children, according to figures from the territory's health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
Hamas's 7 October surprise attack on Israel, the ensuing chaos, and the frantic Israeli military response killed at least 1,210 people, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
During the attack, Palestinian militants also took 251 people captive, 94 of whom are still being held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Israel's cabinet has yet to approve the ceasefire agreement, which was due to be implemented from Sunday.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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