‘Should we grieve, rejoice or cry?’: Palestinians in Gaza react to ceasefire
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Celebrations break out across the territory but many are worried ceasefire will break down and war will resume. Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the ceasefire that came into effect at 9.15am GMT on Sunday, describing “the most beautiful joy in the world” after 15 months of devastating war that has killed tens of thousands there and laid waste to swaths of the territory.
“I feel very beautiful. We hope that God will complete this joy and that we return to our homes and lands safely. This is the most beautiful joy in the world, thank God,” said Moaz Qirqiz, 46. “The most beautiful moment will be when we meet the loved ones in north Gaza and when we stand on the soil of our land and our homes even if they were destroyed. These minutes, I feel that I am the happiest person in the world, even though I lost my closest brother and lost my home and all the homes of my family.” Qirqiz has been living with his family near the central town of Deir al-Balah after being displaced early in the conflict from his home in the north of Gaza.
Like many others, Qirqiz, who ran an electrical appliance store in the northern town of Jabaliya, where there has been intensive recent bombardments and clashes, said he was worried that the ceasefire would break down. “I am afraid that things will turn upside down and that we will return to what we were like during the war and return to the suffering of loss and destruction once again,” he said.
Jamal Zaki Murad, 69, was more hopeful. “I am very optimistic about the agreement and hope we can return to living like other people,” he said. “We have had enough suffering and loss. We have lost so much time, time that has passed from our lives. I lost everything in this war – my granddaughter, part of my family, and my home. Nothing remains.”.
