‘A ceasefire is just the start’ say British Palestinians with family in Gaza
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British Palestinians with family in Gaza have expressed their relief over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, but say they are worried about what’s going to happen next. Israel’s security cabinet met on Friday to approve the ceasefire deal, paving the way for the full Israeli cabinet to sign off on the deal, which would come into place on Sunday and see the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Wafaa Shamallakh, 38, an Arabic interpreter who works for Kingston Council, said that while she was happy to share the news of the ceasefire with her siblings in Gaza, she still fears for them. Ms Shamallakh, who has lived in Kingston, south-west London, for the last 17 years, said she lost 10 members of her family in an airstrike in Sheikh Eljeen, south-west Gaza on October 8 2023.
Her mother is currently in Egypt after losing her home in Gaza, while her brother and sister are currently staying in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. “Since the announcement (on Wednesday), more than 80 people have been killed, so we’re still waiting for Sunday,” Ms Shamallakh told the PA news agency.
“There’s no guarantees that the Israeli side will do what they agreed. We’re still afraid and scared of what’s going to happen next.”. Ms Shamallakh has tried to bring her mother to the UK but her visa application was rejected. “My mum is alone in Egypt, and it’s hard. I’m worried about her,” she said.
