Palestinians in Gaza look ahead with hope and fear amid uncertain ceasefire | News about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Deir el-Balah, Gaza – After a long-awaited ceasefire agreed by Israel and Hamas came into force in Gaza on Sunday, marking a pause in one of the region’s most destructive wars, residents are now feeling a mixture of relief and disbelief.

As the skies finally fell silent after months of relentless Israeli attacks, people are returning to their devastated settlements facing the enormous challenges of rebuilding lives devastated by the 15-month war.

Displaced residents sheltering in makeshift camps in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, spoke to Al Jazeera to share their mixed emotions, losses and their hopes and fears for the future.

Hamza al-Ramlawi, 70, from Tal al-Hawa, Gaza City

“We are very happy and relieved that a ceasefire agreement has finally been reached,” al-Ramlawi said.

“Sadness will remain in our hearts. We will remember those we lost among our families and loved ones. There is joy that we will return, but it is a joy filled with loss and sadness.

“I will remember my son, Mohammed, who I lost in a bombing near our tent in az-Zawayda in central Gaza. His loss is as vast as the universe.

“We, now that the bloodshed has finally stopped, spend our days in peace.

“This is the first night that we sleep peacefully and steadily. Every night of the war we slept in fear of any attack that could be aimed at us.

“We are tired of wars. I hope both sides will calm down and let people live their lives.

“We hope that this truce will last. We cannot endure this great battle that has turned our lives into a disaster.

“I would be lying if I said that I would happily return to my home in the north when I lose my son. Let me be silent.”

Suleiman Abdel Qader, 74, resident of Deir el-Balah

“We are grateful to God that the war has finally been stopped. I hope that all the displaced will be able to return to their homes soon,” said Abdel Qader.

“People are miserable and have lost so much. Some of our relatives are still buried under the rubble, and others are missing.

“I still feel anger towards the European world and America because they did not apply enough pressure at the beginning of these 15 months of war.

“It was a great suffering suffered by every individual in Gaza.

“I hope that people will heal from their wounds, that the injured will find healing, and that those who have lost loved ones will find comfort.

“We hope that the ceasefire will continue, despite my fears, because Israel is not fulfilling its promises.”

Samah Shalail, 44, mother of five from Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza:

“The first day of the ceasefire was strange. Some people celebrated and were happy, while others cried and remembered their loved ones who were killed in this war,” said Shalail.

“This is the first night we have slept peacefully, feeling relaxed knowing that the bloodshed will stop, that we will return to our countries and that we are on the verge of starting a new life.

“The Palestinian people are full of hope and determination to move on.

“At the beginning of the announcement of the ceasefire, I felt cautiously optimistic. But when the prisoner exchanges started and the planes disappeared from the sky, I started to feel a little relieved.

“The heart is still wounded. We cannot talk about joy and happiness, but there is psychological relief. We are still afraid of the obstacles that await us. The country is completely destroyed.

“I expect the ceasefire to last as long as there are agreements for the release of prisoners and hostages.

“I’m excited about the upcoming period, about restarting my life. I want my children to go back to school.”

Soheila Hazem, 65, from Deir el-Balah:

“The feeling of the ceasefire is indescribable,” Hazem said. “We are still deeply affected and hurt by the war.

“I lost my son Hatem, 30 years old, father of three daughters, last June in a bombing in Deir el-Balah. My sister also lost her only son, my brother lost his son, and so did the rest of his relatives. No one was spared the loss. We have all suffered greatly in this war.

“We finally slept through our long nights after being away for so long. We could not sleep because of the bombing and fear. If the bombing hadn’t been on us, it would have been on my neighbor, my family or people we know elsewhere. Every night, when it got dark, worry and fear would come.

“We are all one family in this war, and we have common wounds. We waited for the war to end in order to find out what was the fate of those with whom we had lost contact due to the interruption of communication.

“Things are easier for us now. We feel great relief and hope that international efforts will continue to stabilize the ceasefire.

“Everyone must know that this is our country and it is our right to live here. We ask God to compensate us for what we have lost.

“I have no plans. I just want to live a normal and stable life.”