Palestinians Celebrate Ceasefire: A Moment of Hope Amid Destruction in Gaza
The streets of Gaza came alive with rare scenes of celebration as Palestinians welcomed the much-awaited ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. This truce, which took effect on Sunday at 11:15 am after a nearly three-hour delay, paused a 15-month-long war that had left a trail of devastation and despair across the region. For the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, many of whom have faced displacement multiple times, the ceasefire offered a glimmer of hope for a better future.
In the southern city of Khan Younis, the mood was jubilant. Armed Hamas fighters paraded through the streets to cheers from the crowd, with chants of “Greetings to Al-Qassam Brigades” reverberating through the air. Many fighters expressed their determination, with one stating, “This is a ceasefire, a full and comprehensive one God willing, and there will be no return to war.” Hamas policemen, dressed in blue uniforms, also emerged in certain areas after months of staying hidden to avoid Israeli airstrikes.
Meanwhile, Gaza City, which bore the brunt of some of the fiercest Israeli airstrikes, presented a stark contrast to the celebrations. Hundreds of residents, displaced by the relentless conflict, returned to survey the rubble of their homes and neighborhoods. As people picked their way through the devastation, they waved Palestinian flags and recorded the scenes of destruction on their mobile phones. Many carried carts loaded with the remnants of their possessions, a stark reminder of the war’s toll.
For many residents, the ceasefire was a bittersweet moment. Ahmed Abu Ayham, a 40-year-old Gaza City resident, described the scene as “dreadful.” Having taken refuge in Khan Younis for months, Ayham returned to find his home city in ruins. “We are in pain, deep pain, and it is time that we hug one another and cry,” he shared. Aya, a displaced woman from Gaza City, echoed this sentiment. After sheltering in Deir Al-Balah for over a year, she described the ceasefire as a moment of relief, likening it to “finding water in the desert.” However, she acknowledged that the destruction and losses endured by the people of Gaza would take years to repair.
In a significant development, humanitarian aid began entering Gaza within hours of the ceasefire taking effect. Long lines of trucks carrying fuel and essential supplies entered through crossings from Egypt and Israel, with the United Nations confirming the movement of aid. The deal stipulates that 600 truckloads of aid, including 50 carrying fuel, will enter Gaza daily for six weeks. Half of these supplies will be directed to northern Gaza, where famine-like conditions are imminent.
The ceasefire represents a critical pause in a war that has reshaped the Middle East. The conflict, which began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives, according to health officials. For Gaza’s residents, the truce offers a chance to rebuild their lives, even as the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com