A tenuous ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect at 9:15 am GMT on Sunday, bringing a temporary halt to a devastating 15-month conflict. The war has claimed the lives of more than 46,700 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. Humanitarian workers in Gaza estimate that around 12,000 people remain buried under rubble, highlighting the extensive destruction caused by prolonged hostilities.
The ceasefire, brokered after a year of intensive mediation by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, aims to pave the way for reconstruction efforts in Gaza. However, with some estimates suggesting that rebuilding could take 30 to 50 years, the path to recovery appears daunting. Meanwhile, unresolved questions linger over who will govern the territory moving forward.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army issued warnings to Gaza residents, advising them not to approach its forces or Israeli territory. Avichay Adraee cautioned,
“We urge you not to head towards the buffer zone or IDF forces for your safety. At this stage, heading towards the buffer zone or moving from south to north via Gaza Valley puts you at risk.”
Despite this warning, Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the ceasefire with a mix of relief and apprehension. Moaz Qirqiz expressed his feelings,
“I feel very beautiful. We hope that God will complete this joy and that we return to our homes and lands safely. This is the most beautiful joy in the world, thank God.”
The conflict has repeatedly displaced most of Gaza's pre-war population of 2.3 million. As the ceasefire commenced, Hamas-run police began deploying in public spaces after months of lying low due to Israeli airstrikes. The war's prolonged impact has left many residents grappling with complex emotions.
Maha Abed voiced the community's exhaustion,
“Enough playing with our emotions – we’re exhausted.”
The devastating toll of the conflict is deeply personal for many Gazans. Umm Abdullah shared her sorrow,
“I do not see any victory in this war. Our only victory is to get out of it safely. We lost a lot of people and relatives. I lost 12 members of my family. My sister and her entire family, her youngest daughter was only eight days old. My biggest fear is that the deal will fail.”
Even as celebrations mark the cessation of violence, anxiety persists about the ceasefire's fragility. Umm Abdullah reflected on the emotional turmoil endured,
“This week I didn’t know myself, first I was happy and then I was sad. Now I am so sad that we will not return to what we were before the war and the lives we lost will not return.”
The UN fears chaotic scenes as large numbers of displaced residents attempt to return to their former homes. The destruction left by 15 months of conflict poses significant challenges for those hoping to rebuild their lives.
As Sunday unfolded, reports emerged of continued Israeli strikes beyond the initial ceasefire deadline, attributed to delays by Hamas in providing the names of hostages it planned to release later in the day. This development added to the anxiety felt by many Palestinians about the ceasefire potentially breaking down at any moment.
Umm Abdullah described her apprehension,
“I was counting the hours and minutes, but at the same time I put my hand on my heart for fear that we would die in the last minutes of the war. So everyone stayed in their tents until the ceasefire is done. Now the atmosphere is like [during the Muslim festival of] Eid.”
The road ahead remains fraught with uncertainty as major unresolved issues loom over Gaza's future. The question of governance post-conflict remains unanswered, adding another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.