Tue 4-February-2025

On the first day of the ceasefire: Life and hope despite the horrors of genocide

Sunday 19-January-2025

GAZA, (PIC)

After long suffering and one of the most horrific genocides in contemporary history, the Palestinians in Gaza await a new dawn that will end their pain and deep wounds. On Sunday morning, their hearts, before their eyes, look forward to the specified date for the start of the first phase of the ceasefire. There are hopes for a new life, despite the scars left by the war, and despite cautious optimism, the hope remains that the future will be freer and safer.

Since the announcement of the agreement for a ceasefire and the end of the genocide, the displaced have begun to plan for the first days after the war’s end, all hopeful that the coming days will erase their pain and deep wounds, knowing all too well that Palestine’s price is high—paid with blood.

I will return near my home
Citizen Mahmoud Al-Haddad, whose home was destroyed by the occupation during the major Israeli assault on Khan Yunis at the end of 2023, currently lives in a tent in the Mawasi of Khan Yunis. He confirmed to our reporter that he will remove his tent and take it to the site of his destroyed home in the Amal neighborhood to set it up there. He says he will not find a better place than his home, even if it is a pile of rubble. “It is security and safety, love and harmony,” he emphasized, stating he will not leave the place and will rebuild the house despite the occupation.

I will visit my martyr son’s grave
Meanwhile, citizen Ahmed Baris, whose home was also destroyed by the occupation and who lives under a collapsing roof in the Khan Yunis camp, says that on the first day of the ceasefire, he will go to his martyr son’s grave. He added that he has been deprived of visiting it, especially since the cemetery is in a dangerous area, repeatedly targeted by occupation planes. “I will recite Al-Fatiha for his pure soul and tell him how much I miss him.”

Finally, I will return home
Citizen Mahmoud Abu Teir confirmed that he will leave the Mawasi of Khan Yunis and will immediately go to check on his home in the eastern part of the city, where he lives near the border with the occupation. He says: “Since the start of the genocide, I have not seen my home, and I do not know what has happened to it, because the area is very remote and dangerous. But I will go there.” He expects that his house has suffered destruction due to its location. “Israel has destroyed everything, but it failed to take our dignity and humility.”

Journalist Yahya Salem said, “Tomorrow we will start the journey to search for more than 40 martyrs from our family who are still under the rubble since December 2023. Tomorrow, emotions will mix; the absent will return, and loved ones will depart.”

As for journalist Hani Al-Maghari, he stated that he will begin tomorrow the journey to search for the graves of his father, three brothers, a sister, and 16 other family members, including 8 children, all of whom were buried without anyone bidding them farewell.

It is expected that the ceasefire in Gaza will go into effect at 8:30 AM on Sunday, and a week later, the return of the displaced and the exchange of prisoners will commence, with planned stages.

Displaced residents of Gaza City and the north will begin returning to their areas from the south on the seventh day of the ceasefire, according to specific protocols.

Citizen Fadl Bseesa told our reporter that he will tear down the tent where he sold traditional foods in the Mawasi of Khan Yunis and will return to his usual shop in the Khan Yunis camp area to resume his work. He continues that he will tear down the tent, end the displacement, and return to the home that has suffered some damage, adding: “We will rebuild it.”

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