After enduring more than six weeks of relentless bombing, the people of Gaza are eagerly anticipating the truce announced between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire, set to come into effect soon, offers a glimmer of hope for the war-weary population. Khaled Loz, a resident of Deir el-Balah, expresses his desire to finally get some sleep, as the constant bombings have taken a toll on his well-being. The conflict, which began with an attack by Hamas fighters on southern Israel, has resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the displacement of an estimated 1.7 million Gazans.
The Israeli aerial bombing and artillery shelling have spared no part of the enclave, with central and southern Gaza also being targeted. As a result, countless homes, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps have been destroyed or damaged. Amidst this devastation, the truce brings a glimmer of hope for Gazans, who long for a respite from the violence and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Loz expresses the sentiment shared by many, stating, “We want to provide water for our homes, we want goods to enter instead of empty shops where we cannot find what we need.”
However, the truce holds even greater significance for those who have lost loved ones during the conflict. Many families are eager to grieve for their deceased relatives and search for missing friends and family members. The truce offers a temporary pause in the fighting, allowing people to move from the north to the south of Gaza along Salah al-Din Road. However, there is no guarantee of movement towards the north, where Gaza City is located, leaving those searching for missing loved ones uncertain about their ability to reach the area.
Etaf Hussien Musataf al-Jamalan, a father of five, expresses his mixed feelings about the truce. Displaced from Sheikh Radwan, a district of Gaza City, al-Jamalan had hoped to return and assess the damage to his house during the ceasefire. However, he is unsure if the truce will permit such visits. With half of north Gaza’s homes estimated to be damaged or destroyed, the uncertainty surrounding their homes adds to the stress for displaced individuals.
For children like 12-year-old Enas al-Jamalah, the longing for home is simple — a desire to be warm. Displaced to Deir el-Balah, Enas and thousands of others find themselves sleeping outdoors as the winter weather sets in, with temperatures dropping to 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. Fatima Qudayh, a 37-year-old mother of six from Khuza’a, shares this yearning for home. Despite her house being damaged in the 2021 war, she and her family had painstakingly rebuilt it. Now, she hopes to visit and find out if their home has survived the recent bombings.
As Gazans eagerly await the truce, their primary concerns lie with the well-being of their loved ones and the opportunity to find solace amidst the ongoing turmoil. The temporary ceasefire offers a small glimmer of hope, allowing families to grieve, search for missing relatives, and assess the damage to their homes. The road to recovery may be long and arduous, but the truce provides a much-needed respite for the people of Gaza.
