Smoke billowed over Gaza City on Saturday, yet for the first time in months, residents felt a ceasefire was within reach as they welcomed US President Donald Trump’s call for Israel to stop bombing.
“Trump’s announcement was very surprising to me, as he has always been biased toward Israel,” said 24-year-old Jamila al-Sayyid, from Gaza City’s Zeitun neighbourhood.
Despite Trump’s appeal, she said “the planes did not stop” bombing, but still felt good about her decision not to flee from the territory’s largest urban centre.
“The most important thing is that the ceasefire will take effect and the Israeli prisoners will be released, as they are a pretext for Israel to continue its occupation”, she added, referring to the 47 hostages still held in Gaza, including 25 the military says are dead.
Hamas said Friday night it was ready to release the hostages under Trump’s ceasefire plan, prompting the US president to urge Israel to immediately stop its strikes.
“I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!” Trump posted on Truth Social after Hamas gave its agreement.
But Israel’s military on Saturday warned northern Gaza remained “a dangerous combat zone” and warned residents not to return. For Sami Adas of Gaza City, however, it was a “day of joy, a great day”.
The 50-year-old, who has been living in a tent with his family in the west of Gaza City, the focus area of Israeli military’s operations in recent weeks, said any ceasefire would improve his lot.
“The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time,” Adas said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said the US president “is the only one who can force Israel to comply and stop the war”.
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