Palestinians in the war-stricken Gaza Strip are finally experiencing a second day of relative calm as a temporary pause in fighting holds. After enduring almost 50 days of constant Israeli bombardment, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 15,000 Palestinians, a four-day truce came into effect from early Friday and has so far proceeded without interruption.
The United Nations has reported that the 24 hours leading up to the truce saw an intensification of Israeli strikes from air, land, and sea throughout Gaza. However, since the truce began, Palestinians in Gaza, who have lived in constant fear for the past seven weeks, have been able to sleep without the constant threat of being killed in an Israeli air raid.
This temporary respite has also provided an opportunity for families to secure supplies of food and water, which have become scarce due to the unrelenting assault on the besieged enclave. Some Palestinians have chosen to return to the northern parts of Gaza, which have borne the brunt of the fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas. However, this journey has not been without risk, as Israeli troops, supported by heavy machinery and air strikes, have ordered Palestinians to stay in the south, resulting in several deaths.
For those who have lost loved ones, this truce has allowed them to pay their respects and offer prayers. Funeral processions and proper burials were not possible under heavy bombardment and relentless air strikes. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, shared that some Palestinians had a chance to visit surviving family members during this period of relative calm.
The devastating impact of the Israeli onslaught is evident in the stories shared by Palestinian journalists and civilians. A video, verified by Al Jazeera, shows a man searching for his family’s clothes under the rubble of their destroyed Gaza home. Palestinian photojournalist Magdi Fathi has documented the testimonies of several displaced women who have lost everything in Khan Younis, one of the cities where residents from northern Gaza were ordered to evacuate to. These cities have been repeatedly attacked by Israeli forces.
While the truce has brought temporary relief, it has also provided an opportunity for hostage releases. As part of the agreement, Hamas in Gaza has released 24 hostages, including 13 Israelis, on Friday. More releases are expected, as the Israeli prime minister’s office has received a list of captives to be released on Saturday. Additionally, 39 Palestinian women and children who had been detained by Israel, some for years, were also released and have returned to their homes in the occupied West Bank.
During the four-day pause, it is anticipated that at least 50 more people will be freed by Hamas, leaving an estimated 190 captives in Gaza. In return, Israel is expected to release 150 Palestinians. This truce has also allowed aid deliveries to arrive in northern Gaza, marking the first aid shipments since the start of the war.
The hope is that this truce will bring a much-needed respite for the people of Gaza, allowing them to rebuild their lives and communities. While the situation remains fragile, the release of hostages and the delivery of aid are positive steps towards a lasting peace.
Source: ALJAZEERA
Source: TimesKuwait
