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KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip - A four-day ceasefire brokered by Israel and Hamas has brought a pause in the airstrikes on Gaza and while locals are relieved to no longer be hearing the terrifying sound of bombardment, the pause is bittersweet and millions can still not return to their homes in the north of the besieged enclave.
The truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning, bringing a moment of solace in a war that has claimed the lives of over 14,800 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis since October 7. The ceasefire will see the release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Hajj Iyad al-Fail, a local from Gaza, is disappointed that the truce did not include the return of Palestinians to their homes in the north of the strip. Many people like him do not know what happened to their loved ones, including their children. However, he says he is happy to see a pause in the fighting.
"The current ceasefire that was agreed upon between Israel and the Palestinian factions is a good thing. But for us, who were displaced from Gaza and left our homes, we are not allowed to return," al-Fail said, hoping a final ceasefire can be brokered so that they can return home.
"The situation may hopefully get better. Currently, we have been displaced to the south for more than three weeks.
"I arrived here with my wife and son, but I have sons and daughters who are still in Gaza [City], and we cannot communicate with them, as telecommunications are bad...and I do not know the fate of my sons and daughters."
Mahmoud al-Sousi and his family are also frustrated that they are not allowed to return to their homes as part of the ceasefire.
“We are from Gaza City and the north, we did not benefit from this truce, as we cannot return to our homes, and I do not know what has happened to my house, whether it was demolished or not," al-Sousi said.
As the pause continues in Gaza, the Israeli army killed eight people in the occupied West Bank in the last 24 hours according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning, bringing a moment of solace in a war that has claimed the lives of over 14,800 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis since October 7. The ceasefire will see the release of 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
Hajj Iyad al-Fail, a local from Gaza, is disappointed that the truce did not include the return of Palestinians to their homes in the north of the strip. Many people like him do not know what happened to their loved ones, including their children. However, he says he is happy to see a pause in the fighting.
"The current ceasefire that was agreed upon between Israel and the Palestinian factions is a good thing. But for us, who were displaced from Gaza and left our homes, we are not allowed to return," al-Fail said, hoping a final ceasefire can be brokered so that they can return home.
"The situation may hopefully get better. Currently, we have been displaced to the south for more than three weeks.
"I arrived here with my wife and son, but I have sons and daughters who are still in Gaza [City], and we cannot communicate with them, as telecommunications are bad...and I do not know the fate of my sons and daughters."
Mahmoud al-Sousi and his family are also frustrated that they are not allowed to return to their homes as part of the ceasefire.
“We are from Gaza City and the north, we did not benefit from this truce, as we cannot return to our homes, and I do not know what has happened to my house, whether it was demolished or not," al-Sousi said.
As the pause continues in Gaza, the Israeli army killed eight people in the occupied West Bank in the last 24 hours according to the Palestinian health ministry.
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