Palestinians in Gaza have celebrated the agreement of a ceasefire and hostage release deal - but many fear confronting the grief that has built up over two years of war. This morning, when we heard the news about the truce, it brought both joy and pain, said 38-year-old Umm Hassan, who lost his 16-year-old son during the war. Out of joy, both the young and the old began shouting, he added, but those who had lost loved ones started to remember their absence. Every person who lost someone feels that sorrow deeply and wonders how they'll return home.
The agreement announced by US President Donald Trump, which still requires approval from Israel's security cabinet, includes the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. This is part of a broader 20-point peace initiative aimed at ending the conflict, though further negotiations are necessary and the outcome remains uncertain.
We, the civilians, are the ones who've suffered - truly suffered, expressed Daniel Abu Tabeekh from the Jabalia refugee camp as he reflected on the struggle of families torn apart by the war. The harsh reality is that many have been left homeless, facing the aftermath of widespread destruction.
As the toll of the conflict mounts, more than 67,000 Palestinians have perished, predominantly civilians, a figure considered reliable according to international organizations. The psychological impact is profound; families have been unable to mourn properly amidst ongoing violence. Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, described the inability to process grief due to constant threats to their lives, stating, the main focus is to try and stop what's happening.
Although there is cautious optimism following the ceasefire announcement, the collective sorrow for lost loved ones complicates any communal celebrations in Gaza. Residents like Umm Nader Kloub, who lost seven relatives, expressed hope for peace while holding onto the pain of their losses. As they navigate this complex emotional landscape, the desire for safety and the pressing need to mourn coexist, leaving many to question how they will reconcile these experiences moving forward.
The agreement announced by US President Donald Trump, which still requires approval from Israel's security cabinet, includes the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. This is part of a broader 20-point peace initiative aimed at ending the conflict, though further negotiations are necessary and the outcome remains uncertain.
We, the civilians, are the ones who've suffered - truly suffered, expressed Daniel Abu Tabeekh from the Jabalia refugee camp as he reflected on the struggle of families torn apart by the war. The harsh reality is that many have been left homeless, facing the aftermath of widespread destruction.
As the toll of the conflict mounts, more than 67,000 Palestinians have perished, predominantly civilians, a figure considered reliable according to international organizations. The psychological impact is profound; families have been unable to mourn properly amidst ongoing violence. Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, described the inability to process grief due to constant threats to their lives, stating, the main focus is to try and stop what's happening.
Although there is cautious optimism following the ceasefire announcement, the collective sorrow for lost loved ones complicates any communal celebrations in Gaza. Residents like Umm Nader Kloub, who lost seven relatives, expressed hope for peace while holding onto the pain of their losses. As they navigate this complex emotional landscape, the desire for safety and the pressing need to mourn coexist, leaving many to question how they will reconcile these experiences moving forward.
