Relief and Hope: Palestinians React to Ceasefire Agreement
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long,” says Sanabel, a 17-year-old from Gaza, as she beams with relief. “Finally, I can sleep without fear.” Across Gaza, millions of Palestinians are celebrating a landmark ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the United States and Qatar. The agreement, announced on Wednesday, ends 15 months of relentless conflict.
The ceasefire, set to begin on January 19, includes several critical measures: Israeli forces will withdraw from populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will return to their homes, and hundreds of aid trucks will enter the territory daily. Yet, alongside joy and relief, the people of Gaza mourn their losses and brace for the long road to rebuilding.
Mixed Emotions Amid Hope
Sanabel, speaking from Gaza City, described her family’s joy as they prepared to return home in her father’s newly repaired car. “We’re overjoyed. It’s like a dream,” she said. Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, 19-year-old Dima Shurrab shared her cautious optimism. “Happiness fills the air, but fear lingers,” she said. “It will truly feel real when the ceasefire begins.”
Dima’s life has been turned upside down by the war. Her family survived in a partially destroyed house, living on minimal food and struggling to find clean water. Her dreams of studying medicine in Algeria were dashed when the conflict erupted two days after she submitted her passport for a visa. Now, she dares to hope again.
Phases of the Deal
The ceasefire will unfold in three stages. In the initial six-week phase, 33 of the nearly 100 hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Negotiations for the second phase, starting on the 16th day, aim to secure the release of remaining hostages, a full Israeli withdrawal, and lasting peace. The final phase focuses on Gaza’s reconstruction, a process expected to take years.
For displaced families, the chance to return home is bittersweet. Farida, a teacher separated from her family for over a year, said, “We’re overwhelmed with emotions—anticipation, joy, and sadness. Finally, we can breathe a little freedom.”
Reem, another displaced mother, expressed similar sentiments. “This moment feels surreal,” she said. “We are torn between happiness for this progress and sorrow for everything we’ve lost.”
A Time for Gratitude
In Khan Younis, Hashim Adel Abu Eiala described the ceasefire as “the greatest feeling in the world.” Living in a tent for 15 months, he plans to kneel in gratitude when he returns home. “We’ve endured unimaginable suffering,” he said. “Now, we just hope this joy marks the beginning of true peace.”
The ceasefire follows a devastating war that began after a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, claiming the lives of about 1,200 people and resulting in 251 hostages. Since then, over 46,700 people in Gaza have been killed, and nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced. Gaza faces severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter amid widespread destruction.
As the ceasefire takes effect, the people of Gaza hold on to hope, even as they navigate the immense challenges of rebuilding their lives and their homeland.
