🔗 Share this article

Throughout the early hours of Thursday, there was little joy in Gaza. Word of the imminent ceasefire had circulated quickly across the devastated territory in the dark hours, with a few gunshots fired into the sky in celebration, however when daybreak appeared the atmosphere turned to apprehensive waiting.

“Everyone is still afraid,” said a young woman in her twenties in al-Mawasi, the densely populated and impoverished coastal belt where much of the population are residing in makeshift tents along with synthetic huts.

“We look forward to a public statement and real guarantees for opening the crossings, bringing in food, and stopping the killing, destruction and forced relocations.”

Close by, an elderly resident Abbas Hassouna noted that his relatives were hoping for an official announcement and solid commitments for opening the crossings, bringing in food, and stopping the killing, destruction and displacement”.

“When we see these things happen, at that point we will fully accept them. Yet at this moment, anxiety continues. They could backtrack at any moment or dishonor the deal like previous instances stranding us amid the continuous pattern with nothing changing only additional hardship,” Hassouna expressed, originally from Gaza’s northern sector yet has experienced relocation repeatedly.

Contradictory Sentiments Throughout Residents

A 47-year-old woman called Ola al-Nazli said she had learned of the ceasefire from her neighbours in the al-Mawasi zone. “I did not know regarding my reaction, if I should celebrate or sorrowful. We have experienced this many times before, and each time we were disappointed again, consequently this occasion anxiety and prudence have reached new heights,” said Nazli, who was forced to leave her dwelling in the urban center because of the recent armed conflict in the city.

“All residents exist in tents that do not protect from chilly conditions or amid explosions. Those who had money or employment were stripped of all assets. Consequently our relief is accompanied by pain and fear. I simply desire that we might exist protected, away from detonations, not having to relocate, and that the crossings will be accessible quickly,” said Nazli.

Humanitarian Preparations Ongoing

Aid agencies stated they were organizing to “flood” Gaza with food and vital provisions. The detailed strategy includes provisions for an increase in humanitarian assistance. The head of WHO, the WHO director, explained his team was prepared to expand operations to respond to urgent healthcare demands for Gazan patients, and to support rehabilitation of the devastated medical infrastructure”.

The international body for Palestinian refugees, hailed the agreement as a “huge relief”, and said it had enough food stockpiled beyond the territory to sustain the devastated territory’s 2.3m population for the coming three months. While increased support has arrived in the region during previous days, supplies continue to be severely inadequate, humanitarian workers indicated.

Relief and Concern Within Displaced Families

A resident called Jihad al-Hilu heard the news regarding the truce via radio broadcast as he sat in his shelter within al-Mawasi. “In that instant, I experienced a combination of elation and respite, like a glimmer of optimism had returned to my heart subsequent to prolonged anticipation. We anxiously awaited this occasion, for violence to cease and for the atrocities that have destroyed numerous families to conclude,” Hilu, 33 told the Guardian.

“Concurrently, prevails substantial anxiety present among us. We are concerned that this ceasefire may prove transient and that hostilities could return like earlier instances.”

Additionally exist widespread concerns concerning what stability may bring to Gaza, in which over ninety percent of residences have suffered destruction or demolished, virtually all public works obliterated and where much of the population goes hungry every day. Over sixty-seven thousand Palestinians mostly civilians have lost their lives during military operations launched in the aftermath the militant attack in October 2023, causing approximately 1,200 fatalities also primarily non-combatants with 251 individuals captured by militants.

“What worries me beyond other issues is the absence of safety. Food deprivation is manageable, however danger constitutes the true catastrophe. I am concerned that the region may transform into a zone of turmoil ruled by gangs and militias rather than proper governance.”

Current Situation

Observers reported military personnel discharged artillery to deter residents reentering the northern sector of the territory during Thursday’s dawn however stated no sounds of fighting or airstrikes.

A woman called Nadra Hamadeh, whose sister, her relative, two nieces and son in law lost their lives in hostilities, expressed her desire to return from al-Mawasi to Gaza’s northern part as soon as possible to inspect her residence, which she assumes to be damaged but not destroyed.

“There is deep sorrow for people who sacrificed their families and children and properties … Concerning our case, we look forward to going back to our residence that we were forced to abandon. The sensation persists similar to our essences were extracted from our beings when we left,” Hamadeh, 57 said.

“Our aspiration remains that hostilities cease,