PRESS CONFERENCE
Waleed Siam, Ambassador, Representative The Permanent General Mission of Palestine

14:30-15:30 Friday, January 31, 2025
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in English.

A fragile ceasefire continues between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as more hostage and prisoner releases are planned and families try to return to their homes. It is hoped the six-week truce will lead to a halt in fighting, further hostage and prisoner exchanges and some 650,000 displaced returning to northern Gaza after 15 months of war. The next exchange during the initial six-week "first phase" is expected on February 1, while the release of the remaining hostages, along with an end to the war, will be negotiated in a second phase.

Hamas took some 250 hostages during its October 2023 attack on Israel when some 1,200 people were killed, according to Israel tallies, while the subsequent military response by Israel has resulted in the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

A separate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon is also under way, which gives both sides 60 days to remove forces from the area and allow the Lebanese army to move in.

What are the next steps for this delicate peace process and what role might Japan play? Palestinian Ambassador Waleed Siam will come to the Club to give the Palestinian view of the situation, while a separate press conference (see separate notice) will allow Israeli Ambassador Gilad Cohen to explain Israel's viewpoint.

How to attend:
Please register at front@fccj.or.jp with your name, the name of your media outlet, and FCCJ membership number. Doors open 15 minutes before the event. Please sign in, giving your name and contact details at the reception, and have your temperature taken before proceeding.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/vV6EShs6kGdxuTb76

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event.

Professional Activities Committee