For the first time in 15 months, Gazans did not wake up to the sounds of airstrikes or the need to run for cover
Palestinians react as they make their way to return to their homes . Photo: Reuters
"We don't hear the sounds of bombs. It's quiet now. It's only the echoes of celebrations everywhere and people are returning." These were the first words a UAE-based Palestinian expat heard as soon as she managed to connect with her brother in Gaza.
For the first time in 15 months, Palestinians in Gaza didn't wake up to the sounds of airstrikes or the need to run for cover.
Islam M, a resident of Sharjah, was among many Palestinian expats who attempted to connect with their loved ones in the devastated Strip for the first time in 15 months—not to check if they were alive, but to congratulate them. "Before, when I called them, I could hear the fear and horror in their voices, but now my call was received with laughter and relief,” she said.
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After months of bombing and death, people were celebrating the ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the end of the near annihilation of the Palestinian territory. Walking through rubble, displaced, war-weary Gazans were returning to their homes or what was left of them.
Despite losing 65 members of her family during the war, including her mother and father-in-law, and two houses destroyed—Islam remained hopeful.
“No matter how unsettled I am and scared that it will begin again tomorrow, I am happy to hear my brother is relieved," she said. "Even if it does not go through all three phases, at least if one day passes without a Palestinian dying, that's a win for us."
The initial 42-day truce was brokered by Qatari, US, and Egyptian mediators.
Reflecting on the past months, Islam said, “We really hope this ceasefire lasts; at least they get a break from the destruction.” The constant worry of losing a family member has weighed heavily on her heart. “Every day, I woke up fearing I might hear the news that someone was killed,” she shared.
Sharjah resident Mahmoud, who has family in Gaza, was overwhelmed with emotion as he watched videos of celebrations in the streets. “My whole family is on the streets cheering in their newfound freedom and celebrating the release of prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal,” he said.
Early Monday morning, Israel released 90 Palestinian people after Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages, completing the first exchange under a long-awaited truce.
“When I called my family, they said they don’t even know how they survived this war and are still alive. With the constant bombing and lack of food and medicine, they cannot believe they made it,” he recounted.
For around 470 days, his extended family refused to leave Gaza, determined to stay put despite the devastation surrounding them. "They survived, but they don’t want to talk about leaving or how they will live tomorrow; they just want to celebrate this relief," Mahmoud said. "They have lost everything—homes, belongings—but they still have hope," he added.
Samr, another expat, expressed mixed emotions about the situation. "It's relieving to know that the bombing has at least stopped. My family is returning to their house; that's the last thing I heard from them. They are going back to check what's left after all the months of airstrikes."
Samr knows that his whole neighbourhood in Gaza got bombed. "Anything that's left can help—blankets, some clothes, anything from their belongings will be good," he said.
When he called his family, Samr heard that people were relying fully on the aid trickling in. "The food is scarce; my relatives' medication ran out months ago. The car is just abandoned since it is a hustle to get fuel, and even if they manage to get it, where will they drive it to?
“The situation is horrible. Although the attack has stopped, the people there still need help. This hasn’t ended. We still have family members we don’t know where they are; we don’t know if they’re alive or not.”
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Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.