KHAN YUNIS: Smoke billowed over Gaza City on Saturday, yet for the first time in months, residents felt a ceasefire was within reach as they welcomed US President Donald Trump's call for Israel to stop bombing. "Trump's announcement was very surprising to me, as he has always been biased toward Israel," said 24-year-old Jamila al Sayyid, from Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood.
Despite Trump's appeal, she said "the planes did not stop" bombing, but still felt good about her decision not to flee from the territory's largest urban centre. "The most important thing is that the ceasefire will take effect and the Israeli prisoners will be released, as they are a pretext for Israel to continue its occupation", she added.
For Sami Adas of Gaza City, however, it was a "day of joy, a great day". The 50-year-old, who has been living in a tent with his family in the west of Gaza City, the focus area of Israeli military's operations in recent weeks, said any ceasefire would improve his lot. "The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time," Adas said. He said the US president "is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war".
Further south, Mahmud Abu Shamala, a 49-year-old living in displacement in the so-called humanitarian area of Al Mawasi, said that "this ceasefire is a dream I have wished to achieve for two years". He feared, however, that Israel would not abide by it once Hamas releases the hostages.
Palestinians felt hope for the first time in months, after ceasefire talks had stalled and Israel attempted to strike Hamas leaders even in Qatar, a key mediator. "It's enough... the situation is very bad," said Abu Hussein Labad, a displaced man from Jabalia refugee camp. "I'm injured, and to this day I can't move. The situation is unbearable. God willing, the war will end and we can return to our destroyed homes."
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinians said Hamas played its hand well under an American ultimatum to respond by Sunday. "Hamas' stance yesterday was very good," Iyad Safi said. "God willing, it will be for the good of the people —the most important thing is the people's interest, that the war stops and things come to an end." Adnan Naeem, said that "Hamas addressed the urgent issues", in its response. "The other issues can be discussed later", he said. — AFP
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