ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) welcomes news of a ceasefire in Gaza, agreed to by negotiators on behalf of Hamas and Israel.

“CVT welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza. But ending the bombing and releasing the hostages should only be the beginning of a broader agreement. There needs to be rebuilding and reconstruction. There needs to be an end to displacement, occupation, mass detention and torture. There needs to be accountability and justice for atrocities that have been perpetrated. And there needs to be a sustainable peace process.

“This ceasefire agreement, should it hold, should also serve as a starting point for healing for civilians in Gaza and for all civilians who have suffered so terribly these past 15 months. Now is the time for the international community to invest in the provision of humanitarian services that address individual, inter-generational and collective trauma. There can be no lasting peace without addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes of the conflict.” – Dr. Simon Adams, president and CEO

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization with offices in Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Uganda, United States and additional project sites around the world. Visit www.cvt.org