‘Palestine Stopped the Israeli Terrorist Regime’s Genocide’: Venezuela Welcomes Ceasefire

Mexico City, Mexico, January 16, 2025 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro celebrated the news of a ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli government, calling it a hopeful step toward global peace and a victory for diplomacy. 

“From Venezuela, we welcome the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the government of Israel,” Maduro said during his annual address to the nation at the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas.

The Venezuelan leader also reaffirmed his country’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, urging the international community to uphold respect for life and international law.

“Let us seek respect for life and pursue peace in the world,” he added.

Venezuela under the leadership of former President Hugo Chávez and his successor has been a strong champion of the Palestinian people’s cause, defending their right to resist in various international fora while also cutting ties with Israel. Maduro personally paid tribute to the sacrifice made by Aaron Bushnell, the US airman who self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, to bring attention to the plight of the Palestinian people. 

The defense of the Palestinian struggle against occupation and colonization has also been an important cause for Venezuelan social movements. Solidarity groups have mobilized in support of the Palestinian resistance for years and more regularly since the October 2023 Al-Aqsa Flood that saw Hamas and other armed elements of the Palestinian resistance movement break out of Gaza and directly attack Israeli military targets and settlements.

Lebanese-Venezuelan journalist and long-time activist Hindu Anderi from the Platform for Solidarity with the Palestinian Cause told Venezuelanalysis that not only must the current ceasefire be respected but that it should lead to “free and sovereign” Palestine.

“The dignity, the courage, the heroism, the decision, the will of the people of Palestine is above everything and they have shown it,” said Anderi. “They alone stopped the terrorist regime genocide in Israel.”

Anderi warned that Israel is liable to break the ceasefire and that “those who caused all this genocide must be judged by history.” The Palestine solidarity activist also criticized actors and organizations who stayed silent throughout Israel’s brutal campaign, calling them “accomplices of the Israeli terrorist regime.”

Despite the announcement of the agreement, Tel Aviv has continued its deadly strikes inside Gaza, with dozens reportedly killed in the past 24 hours. The deal is also pending approval of the Israeli cabinet. 

The deadly campaign in Gaza has seen Israeli forces kill at least 46,000 Palestinians, including nearly 18,000 children, though experts estimate the real figure to be much higher. The Israeli army has likewise engaged in military operations in the occupied West Bank as well as an invasion of Southern Lebanon that ended with a ceasefire accord with resistance group Hezbollah in November.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is set to commence on January 19, 2025, and outlines a six-week cessation of hostilities, during which Israeli forces will withdraw from northern Gaza, and Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinian prisoners. This initial phase aims to facilitate humanitarian aid and infrastructure repairs in Gaza, with subsequent phases focusing on establishing a permanent ceasefire and addressing Gaza’s future governance. 

“Praise God, this tragedy is over … We’re all overcome with joy,” Mohammad Fares, a Gaza resident told the New York Times.

Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.