After 470 days of relentless Zionist bombardment, Gaza emerged victorious, its people resilient in the face of brutality. As the ceasefire took effect, forcibly displaced residents rushed home, returning to their neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip.
Despite 15 months of Zionist and US efforts to eliminate the Resistance, Al-Qassam Brigades came out in celebration in military vehicles. Their arrival was met with loud cheers and chants of admiration from the people.
In a symbol of solidarity and loyalty, Gaza’s residents also showed strong support for Hamas’ leader, Mohammad Deif, by chanting slogans in his favor during the rally.
From Rafah to the northern reaches of Gaza, families rushed back to their homes, which had been reduced to rubble by airstrikes.
As soon as the Zionist military withdrew, residents began to return to the besieged areas. Amid the widespread devastation, Gazans captured images of the departing military vehicles—vehicles that had failed to breach northern towns such as Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun.
In these towns, Resistance fighters emerged from underground tunnels, fiercely defending their communities to the very last moment, embodying a spirit of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
In the central Gaza Strip, families returned to their homes in the Nuseirat refugee camp, while tens of thousands of forcibly displaced people also made their way back to the city of Rafah in the South.
The triumphant return of Gaza’s displaced was a powerful testament to their endurance, as they reclaimed their homes.
Zionist reactions to the ceasefire
On the Zionist side, there were no celebrations, no sense of victory, and no rallying around the government. Instead, there was widespread anger and opposition to the agreement, with many viewing it as a concession that reinforced Hamas’s status as the victor in the war.
Just hours after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect, the far-right Otzma Yehudit party officially exited the coalition government, following through on its threat to withdraw if a ceasefire deal with Hamas was enacted.
Zionist Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and “Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience” Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf all submitted their resignation letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The party issued a statement confirming that effective immediately, Otzma Yehudit was no longer part of the coalition.
In his resignation letter to Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir acknowledged the “significant achievements” during the prime minister’s leadership but criticized the ceasefire deal as a “surrender-to-terror” agreement that “crosses all ideological red lines.” He argued that the ceasefire was “a complete victory for terrorism” and stated that the party would no longer support the government on ideological matters.
Former Zionist general: Hamas is the victor
After 470 days of relentless attacks on Gaza, aimed at eliminating Palestinian Resistance, Former occupation Major General Giora Eiland has admitted that the war ended in a “resounding failure for ‘Israel’” and declared Hamas the victor.
Speaking to Channel 7 on Saturday evening, Eiland stated that the regime had failed to achieve its declared objectives. “Hamas will recover from the severe blow it suffered, not all the hostages will return, and ‘Israel’ will not eliminate Hamas’s authority,” he acknowledged, reinforcing earlier critiques of the war’s outcomes.
Protests in Tel Aviv over captive exchange deal
Ahead of the ceasefire’s implementation, Tel Aviv saw widespread protests by settlers opposing the prisoner exchange deal. Demonstrators clashed with police, who deployed skunk water to disperse the crowds.
According to Zionist media, protesters expressed outrage over the agreement, demanding its cancellation. They argued that the deal “will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees, erase the achievements of the war, and pave the way for another attack similar to October 7.”
Resistance releases statements and exchange process begins
The Zionist detainees were released to the Red Cross in an incredibly public fashion demonstrating the degree of support and resilience the Palestinian Resistance maintained throughout the conflict.
We address our great people in the heroic and steadfast Gaza with the highest expressions of greeting and pride, and we renew our pledge to them, to be the trustees of their rights and defenders of them, until the complete liberation of the land and the holy sites.The whole world today must stand in reverence for the legendary steadfastness of our people in Gaza, and in appreciation of their patience and sacrifices over the course of 471 days.With the entry into force of the ceasefire, we affirm our commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement, which is the fruit of the steadfastness and patience of our great people, and the legendary steadfastness of our valiant resistance in the face of the zionist machine of terrorism and killing.
Our heroic prisoners have an appointment with freedom starting today, and this is our firm pledge with them always, until they break the shackles of the jailer and breathe freedom in the skies of Palestine.
We are monitoring the operations of bringing in aid and providing relief to our people with everything necessary, and we confirm that all efforts will be made to provide all the necessary support and assistance requirements to restore the cycle of life in the Gaza Strip to normal.
Islamic Resistance Movement – Hamas
Sunday: 19 Rajab 1446 AH
Corresponding to: 19 January 2025
While Abu Obeida gave his first signficant speech in months. Reaching an agreement to stop the aggression and the genocidal war against the Palestinian people has been the Resistance’s goal for many months, Abu Obeida, the military spokesperson for Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday, hours after the ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect.Abu Obeida began by saluting the people of Gaza for crafting “a historical epic” that will forever stand as a milestone in the history of the Palestinian people.
He highlighted that during the Al-Aqsa Flood Battle, multiple fronts were opened against the occupation entity, and a naval blockade was even imposed on it.
Al-Aqsa Flood Battle has introduced new dynamics to the struggle against the occupation entity, Abu Obeida pointed out, emphasizing that the peoples of the world have come to recognize the occupation’s very existence as the greatest sin ever committed.
The spokesperson praised the unity of the Resistance factions, stating, “We fought shoulder to shoulder with our brethren in all the Resistance factions as one entity with utmost steadfastness across the entirety of the Gaza Strip.”
Despite seemingly impossible circumstances by military standards, according to Abu Obeida, the Resistance confronted the enemy with faith and limited weaponry, while the occupation relied on support from the world’s strongest military powers.
He pointed to the leadership of the Al-Aqsa Flood Battle, noting that its “greatness” lies in the martyrdom of its leaders, including martyrs Ismail Haniyeh, Saleh al-Arouri, and Yahya Sinwar.
Throughout the battle, the Resistance sought a swift end to the war to spare the blood of the Palestinian people, he said, adding that “every drop of blood spilled on this land was for the sake of liberating the land and sanctities.”
Declaring commitment to the ceasefire agreement, Abu Obeida made it clear that this commitment is contingent on the enemy’s adherence to the ceasefire and the terms of the exchange agreement.
He reaffirmed the Resistance’s keenness to ensure the success of the agreement’s terms and stages to protect the lives of the Palestinian people.
‘Brothers in arms’
Abu Obeida extended profound gratitude to all those who stood with the Resistance “in the face of injustice and tyranny.” He particularly extended gratitude “to the sincere brothers, Ansar Allah,” and the Yemeni people, whose vehement spirit astonished the world.
He also saluted “the brothers in arms and battle in the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, and behind them, the free people of Lebanon, who have long been a support and ally to the Palestinian Resistance and revolution for many decades.”
In this battle, the Lebanese people have “paid a heavy price with the leadership of the Resistance, its fighters, and the sons of the Lebanese brotherly people,” Abu Obeida noted.
They “embodied the unity of blood, destiny, and purpose alongside their brethren in Gaza and Palestine,” he added.
Abu Obeida also extended heartfelt salutations to the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, describing it as “Gaza’s spiritual sister” in resistance and steadfastness.
He also expressed gratitude to Iran for its unwavering support and involvement in this historic struggle through Operation True Promise and unwavering support through all possible means. Additionally, he saluted “the free Iraqi Resistance” and the “courageous fighters in Jordan, who crossed borders and pointed their weapons in the right direction,” along with the free people worldwide who demonstrated in solidarity with Gaza and declared their support for the Resistance.
“O our people, we will rebuild together what the occupation has destroyed,” al-Qassam’s spokesperson declared. He also underlined that “this is a time for solidarity, compassion, and cooperation,” vowing to thwart all the occupation’s plans and ambitions.
He affirmed that every attempt to integrate the Zionist entity into the region “would be met with a flood of awareness, deeply entrenched resistance, and the unwavering support of free peoples worldwide.”
“This criminal enemy remains the root cause of all suffering in the region,” Abu Obeida underscored.