Gaza’s Ceasefire Reality: “No Peace, No Relief”
As the latest Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect, global leaders call it a breakthrough—but in Gaza, where airstrikes, blockades, and displacement have left deep wounds, the truce feels meaningless. NextMinuteNews spoke to Palestinians across the strip, and their response was unanimous: “This is just a declaration, not reality.”
A Truce Without Tangible Change
The Egypt- and Qatar-brokered ceasefire promises a pause in fighting, but Gaza’s 2.3 million residents face devastation: half are children, 80% are food-insecure, and hospitals teeter on collapse.
Ahmed Al-Masri, 32, a father in Rafah, lost his home in an airstrike. “They announce ceasefires, but where’s the aid? My children sleep in a tent. Is this peace?” he asks.
Key issues persist:
– Blockade continues: The Rafah crossing remains restricted, choking supplies.
– Fuel shortages: Electricity is sporadic; hospitals overflow with war-wounded.
– No reconstruction: Rubble lingers, and displaced families lack shelter.
“War Could Return Tomorrow”
Skepticism runs deep. Past ceasefires have collapsed, leaving Gazans in perpetual dread.
- Mariam Hassan, a teacher in Gaza City, holds class in tents after her school was bombed. “How do we tell kids to feel safe when war could restart any minute?”
- Yousef Abdelrahman, a Khan Younis activist, demands: “We need justice and an end to the siege—not just another pause before more violence.”
Displacement Crisis: “No Home to Return To”
In Deir al-Balah, Umm Mohammed, 60, shares a tent with 12 relatives after fleeing airstrikes. “Ceasefire? We have nothing left,” she says.
UN reports warn of catastrophe:
– 85% of Gazans are internally displaced.
– Clean water and medicine are critically scarce.
Global Praise vs. Local Distrust
While diplomats applaud the truce, Gazans highlight hypocrisy:
– Khalid Abu Warda, a fisherman: “The West fuels war with weapons but lectures us about peace.”
– Aya Samouni, a student: “We’re bargaining chips—not people.”
Israel’s threat to resume strikes if Hamas “violates terms” underscores the fragility.
The Unanswered Question: What Comes Next?
Without addressing root causes—occupation, blockade, and political deadlock—the cycle will repeat. As a Jabalia elder put it: “We’ve seen ceasefires fail for decades. This time, we need action, not words.”
For Gaza, survival remains day-to-day—and peace, a distant dream.
— Reporting by NextMinuteNews from Gaza
