Warwick students cautiously optimistic but unwavering after Gaza ceasefire announcement

Students at Warwick expressed cautious optimism but remained determined after news of a ceasefire to the War in Gaza broke on Wednesday, 15 January.

Announced in Doha by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani after 15 months of waiting, the agreement finally secures a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

The three-stage ceasefire follows a devastating escalation of violence in response to the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel, which claimed the lives of almost 1,200 people, including over 800 civilians, as 251 people were taken to Gaza as hostages.

Almost 47,000 Palestinians have been killed, over 110,000 injured, and two million displaced by Israel’s war on the enclave, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, although Lancet studies indicate the real death toll could be much higher.

Throughout the conflict, the University of Warwick’s ties to arms companies linked to Israel have come under fire from student groups. A coalition of societies led by Warwick Stands With Palestine has led demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza on campus.

Until everyone can live in a peaceful, just world where everyone is entitled to human rights, the struggle for liberation isn’t over

Layla, Palestinian student at Warwick

In the wake of the news, The Boar spoke to students and student groups who offered their reactions to the announcement.

For one student, Layla, it was bittersweet: “As a Palestinian, I know that one day we will achieve the very controversial request of basic human rights, as steadfastness, resilience, and hope are central to our existence.

“But with this ceasefire, is the settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, genocide, apartheid, occupation, and forced expulsions that we’ve been experiencing for 100 years going to end now?”

She added: “Until everyone can live in a peaceful, just world where everyone is entitled to human rights, the struggle for liberation isn’t over.”

In a statement issued to The Boar, Warwick Kehillah, an anti-zionist Jewish community group, commented: “The ceasefire will give the people of Gaza a moment of peace after nearly a year and a half of the Israeli military’s genocidal onslaught, that has directly killed tens of thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands, destroying entire neighbourhoods in the process.”

Our full solidarity with Palestinians is still needed, including demanding that institutions such as Warwick University divest from weapons companies that have facilitated hundreds of days of genocide in Gaza

Warwick Kehillah statement

They continued: “Our full solidarity with Palestinians is still needed, including demanding that institutions such as Warwick University divest from weapons companies that have facilitated hundreds of days of genocide in Gaza.

“As more and more Jews around the world can observe that liberation lies with solidarity, not nationalism, now is the time to stand for justice, solidarity and liberation for all.”

One Jewish student told The Boar: “It was great to hear news of a ceasefire today, but I have mixed feelings.

“An end to the bombing of civilians and return of prisoners and hostages to their families is wonderful to see, but I am devastated for the millions of Palestinians who were displaced, and many tens of thousands killed by the far-right Israeli government.”

They continued: “Most members of my family three to four generations ago either fled or were killed in the Holocaust, so witnessing the death and destruction carried out, falsely claimed to be in the name of Jewish people, has been sickening.

“For so many Jews around the world who were taught that opposing Israeli injustice is antisemitic, the last year and a half has made it clear that Israel is fundamentally at odds with Jewish values of Pikuach Nefesh – saving life – and Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.”

WSWP will not stop until the University meets our demands and until Palestine is free from the river to the sea

Warwick Stands With Palestine statement

Warwick Stands With Palestine sought to reaffirm their commitment to continued action on campus: “While the announcement of a ceasefire deal fills us with relief and joy for the steadfast people of Gaza who have endured 466 days of genocide, the demands and duties of the Warwick Stands with Palestine coalition remain unchanged.”

They added: “As news of the deal emerged, Israeli bombs continued to rain over Gaza, killing over 81 people. Diplomats and political actors all over the world have celebrated the deal while completely washing over their role and complicity in the genocide up until its very final day.

“The ceasefire also does not erase the scale of death and destruction Israel has enacted in the last 15 months. We mourn the souls of over 46,700 martyrs taken in this genocide and recall that more than 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed. As the ceasefire approaches in Gaza, Israel’s occupation of historic Palestine persists with the 20-year siege on Gaza ongoing and the bombings and illegal settlements in the West Bank unchallenged.

“We are also sceptical of Israel’s intention to maintain the deal, seeing how they have violated the ceasefire deal in Lebanon. Already Netanyahu has threatened to derail the ceasefire agreement to appease the fascists in his cabinet.”

In concluding, the coalition emphasised their demands to hold the University accountable: “WSWP will not stop until the University meets our demands and until Palestine is free from the river to the sea. Every second Warwick continues its ties with the arms industry, the bloodier its administration’s hands are.

This war made me feel guilty for having the privilege of peace, and finally watching Palestinians get that privilege truly warms my heart

Amro Maraqa, first-year Palestinian student at Warwick

“We know the arms companies affiliated with the University of Warwick have contributed to death and destruction across the region, from Palestine to Yemen to Sudan, and we must continue to call for the demilitarisation of our campus. Additionally, it is especially timely that Warwick meets the Pledge demand to reconstruct Gaza’s education sector as we hope humanitarian aid becomes more viable with the ceasefire – none of us are free until we are all free.”

Amro Maraqa, a first-year management student from Palestine, expressed a sense of relief: “I am genuinely looking forward to the end of this war and I can’t wait to see the rebuilding of Gaza.

“This war made me feel guilty for having the privilege of peace, and finally watching Palestinians get that privilege truly warms my heart.”

The agreement will also set out a path for the release of approximately 100 remaining Israeli hostages who have now spent over 460 days in Hamas captivity.

This includes 33 in the first phase, a group that will likely be comprised of women, the elderly, and two children, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, who were just nine months and four years old respectively when they were kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz.

After 15 months of suffering at the hands of Hamas, the hostages are finally coming home

Warwick JSoc statement

Warwick Jewish Society (JSoc) celebrated news of the agreement: “The Warwick Jewish Society welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage deal. We are relieved that the violence and pain experienced by so many Israelis and Palestinians will come to an end, and we pray for lasting peace.

“After 15 months of suffering at the hands of Hamas, the hostages are finally coming home.”

They concluded: “We will not stop advocating and praying for their release until every single one is brought back home. We will continue to grieve for the loss of so many of our family and friends, and send our love to all those who have lost loved ones.”

With the deal set to take effect on Sunday, students at Warwick have welcomed the prospect of a ceasefire and hostage release, viewing it as an opportunity to usher in a period of grief and healing.

However, many remain acutely aware of the fragility of any cessation of hostilities. While students are hopeful, they, like many, are also cautious about whether this initial phase will pave the way for a more prolonged resolution to the century-old conflict.