Gazans feel abandoned as Lebanon ceasefire holds

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip - The US and France brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon earlier this week. Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip rejoice in the ceasefire. However, they feel disappointed for being excluded from the halt of hostilities. 

“The ceasefire in our brotherly Lebanon made Palestinians particularly very happy, because Palestinians and our brothers in Lebanon are experiencing the same struggles. We pray to God that the ceasefire will extend to us as well, so people can return to their homes, resume normal lives, and return to the way of life we had before the war,” Mohammed Abu Shamla, Khan Younis resident, told Rudaw. 

Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7 of last year launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. 

The attack prompted a massive military response into Gaza from the Israeli army, killing over 43,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry. 

At least 33 people have been killed and 135 injured in Gaza over the past 24 hours since the ceasefire in Lebanon began, according to local officials in Gaza.

Moaz Abu Shamala, another resident of Khan Younis, said they share the sufferings of the Lebanese people. 

The ceasefire in Lebanon made me happy for sure because the civilians there were suffering the same as people are suffering in Gaza in terms of experiencing destruction, violence, and massacres. The suffering is now eased for them, but it will increase for us 
 

Translation: Rekar Aziz