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Conflicts

How Gaza residents and Israelis view the ceasefire deal

Steven Gislam
January 17, 2025

Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet has yet to approve a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. But Palestinians in Gaza are cautiously optimistic that the agreement will put an end to the bombings. Meanwhile, the Israelis remain leery about whether the truce will be held.

https://p.dw.com/p/4pG2R

[Video transcript]

Mixed feelings among Gazans. Celebrations at the news of a ceasefire mixed with doubt that it will happen, and tinged with sadness at everything that has been lost.

Their trepidation is backed up by events since the announcement.

Israeli airstrikes punctured the celebratory mood, taking more lives with them. 

The deal is supposed to come into force on Sunday. The uncertain days ahead are making some here nervous.

Motaz Bakeer, displaced Gazan: "We must remain cautious. We are afraid there could be an even worse bloodbath than before. The next few days could be even more difficult than the whole of the last year. We just hope the bloodshed stops.”

Others are noticing the positive impact the news has already had on their everyday lives.

Mahmud al-Qarnawi, Al Burij resident: "The price of this bunch of vegetables used to be 30 shekels, now it's five. The ceasefire news has reduced the prices. This bottle of oil costs 10 shekels now, it was 30 before. We want cigarette prices to be cheaper too."

And others are thinking about the future.

Ayman Abu Ridhwan, displaced from Gaza City to central Gaza Strip: "We need to start thinking of solutions. Enough destruction and wars — we are exhausted. Fifteen months of humiliation and living in tattered tents, enduring the summer heat and the winter cold. And there's the children who died of cold."

Israelis also appear to be apprehensive.

Woman: "We still feel like there is a threat from Hamas. If we just give them Gaza again they might be doing October 7th again. No one guarantees differently."

Man: "I think we will fall back to a war again with the Gaza citizens and with Hamas."

Man: "I think the agreement is good, once we get all the hostages back and the dead bodies being held captive there. But I think that Hamas will rearm and regroup again, as we see in the coalition that there has been some discord (regarding) this agreement with Hamas."

The ceasefire deal is far from certain. And it seems that few on either side are willing to believe it until they see it.