The long-awaited ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, announced on Sunday, brings a glimmer of hope to the region's 2.3 million residents, most of whom have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict. Since the hostilities began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, the violence has led to widespread devastation. The United Nations estimates that it could take 350 years for the Gaza Strip to fully recover from the destruction. This development has been met with cautious optimism amid concerns about whether the ceasefire will hold long enough to lead to a permanent peace.
The conflict began with a tragic attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. Among these hostages were 90 women and children, who were slated for release from Israeli jails in exchange for three Israeli captives: Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher. Steinbrecher was released on Sunday after 15 months in captivity, marking the first stage of the three-part deal brokered by international mediators to establish the ceasefire.
The war has not only engulfed Gaza and Israel but has also drawn in Iran and its allies in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. The blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007 has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, making it difficult for residents to access basic necessities such as food and medicine. Nasser Qudeimat, a Gaza resident, expressed relief over the ceasefire, saying:
“I am so happy I don’t have to worry at night any more about how to keep my children safe … But I don’t know what kind of life I can give them now,” – Nasser Qudeimat
The Israeli military's airstrikes on Gaza have further compounded the suffering, killing at least 13 people in the days leading up to the ceasefire. Meanwhile, the conflict has also caused significant damage to the Israeli town of Sderot, near Gaza, leaving civilians on both sides grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Asma Mustafa, a resident of Gaza, shared her harrowing experience:
“I lost everything: my car, my house, my job, my money. I don’t eat well, I don’t sleep well, I don’t drink clean water, I can hardly find food … I can’t believe I have survived. I feel like I have written a line in the history of Palestine,” – Asma Mustafa
She also poignantly encapsulated the longing for home felt by many displaced Gazans:
“I left my heart at home, in the north. I’ve been whispering to my heart every day, ‘I will come back home,’” – Asma Mustafa
The announcement of the ceasefire by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offers a tentative respite from the violence. However, there remains skepticism about its durability. Shalom Ido voiced both relief and apprehension:
“We will only find out if this is a good idea as time goes by,” – Shalom Ido
“Of course it is good the hostages are coming home. But we are very afraid something like this will happen again,” – Shalom Ido
The emotional weight of this conflict is also felt by families of those taken hostage. Ofakim shared a mix of joy and anxiety over Emily Damari's impending return:
“I’m overjoyed Emily is coming home. I hope it goes OK, we are not there yet and I won’t believe it until I see her,” – Ofakim
The ceasefire represents a complex diplomatic effort involving several stages and international mediation. While it is a step towards reducing immediate hostilities, its effectiveness in securing lasting peace remains uncertain.