Young Palestinians in Gaza have expressed a range of emotions in anticipation of the ceasefire agreement set to take effect on Sunday. Following the announcement of the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday, scenes of jubilation erupted throughout the Palestinian enclave. Residents, such as 20-year-old Raghad Ezzat Hamouda, who has been displaced in Gaza City, shared feelings of hope and relief. Hamouda described the ceasefire as a potential end to the year and a half of violence and expressed disbelief that the war may finally come to a halt.
Similarly, Fadi Adwan, a young engineering student displaced in southern Gaza, referred to the ceasefire as a miraculous event that brought a sense of happiness despite the losses suffered. However, amidst the celebrations, concerns loom over the ongoing Israeli bombardment in northern and central Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over a hundred individuals, including 30 children, since the ceasefire agreement was reached.
The Israeli military reported conducting strikes on around 50 terror targets across the Gaza Strip in response to the recent escalations. Twenty-one-year-old Wassim Khalifa, currently displaced in the Al-Shati camp area west of Gaza City, expressed a mix of fear and anticipation for the ceasefire. Khalifa highlighted the prevailing anxiety among residents due to the continued intensity of bombings leading up to the truce.
Despite the challenges faced, many Palestinians in Gaza are holding onto hope for a safer future as the ceasefire approaches. Khalifa emphasized the collective longing for peace after enduring prolonged hardships, including loss of lives, destruction of homes, and overall suffering. As the ceasefire draws near, residents like Khalifa are cautiously optimistic that the agreement will bring much-needed respite to the war-torn region.
