"In the Gaza Strip, a 'ceasefire' is just a word - we're living it in silence"
Ten days into what was supposed to be a ceasefire, I stepped out of my family's tent in az-Zawayda, Central Gaza Strip, with cautious optimism. The Twix Cafe, where freelancers and students gather, seemed like the perfect spot to reconnect with some semblance of normalcy. But as I approached the cafe with my brother, we heard the unmistakable rumble of an explosion. An Israeli drone had struck the entrance, sending us running for cover.
The chaos that followed was all too familiar. Three people were killed, several more injured. The news spread like wildfire, and our family's tent became a hub of panic as relatives called out to us in vain, their signals weak and unreliable. It took an eternity to comfort my mother before we finally returned home.
What kind of ceasefire is this? I wondered, my anger boiling over at the senseless violence that seemed to never truly end. We thought the explosions would stop, that our shattered lives could slowly be rebuilt without fear of reprisal. But under Israeli occupation, there's no such hope.
The reality check came in full force when the Israeli army bombed Twix Cafe, along with dozens of other locations throughout Gaza, claiming at least 45 lives and leaving many more injured. This was the deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect - a stark reminder that Israel continues to kill, every single day, without apology or remorse.
The list of victims is staggering. Eleven members of the Abu Shaaban family were massacred in an Israeli bombing, their lives cut short while trying to return home. The number of Palestinians killed since the so-called ceasefire began has risen to over 100. It's as if Israel is treating this 'ceasefire' like a switch, flipping it on and off at its whim.
As I watched people rush to markets to stock up on food, their minds focused on survival in the face of uncertainty, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. We've lost forever the feeling of security, the knowledge that tomorrow we'll have enough to eat. Israel is not only violating the ceasefire by bombing us but also withholding aid it signed onto allowing.
The numbers are staggering: just 15% of promised aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, while thousands of injured people remain stranded without access to medical treatment. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains closed, leaving our sole outlet to the world sealed. When will we be allowed to leave for education or reunite with loved ones? Will we ever be able to return home?
The Israeli policy of starving Gaza's north is still in effect, and the World Food Programme has reported no large aid convoys have entered Gaza City since the ceasefire began. The agency's spokesperson was told that Israel refuses to grant permission for them to use Salah al-Din Street.
In a world where our lives seem to be nothing more than a headline about Israel's endless killing spree, we remain at the mercy of an occupier who can resume mass murder whenever it pleases. We will continue to wait for the world to finally recognize our right to live and take real action to secure it. Until then, we'll remain trapped in this cycle of violence and fear.
Ten days into what was supposed to be a ceasefire, I stepped out of my family's tent in az-Zawayda, Central Gaza Strip, with cautious optimism. The Twix Cafe, where freelancers and students gather, seemed like the perfect spot to reconnect with some semblance of normalcy. But as I approached the cafe with my brother, we heard the unmistakable rumble of an explosion. An Israeli drone had struck the entrance, sending us running for cover.
The chaos that followed was all too familiar. Three people were killed, several more injured. The news spread like wildfire, and our family's tent became a hub of panic as relatives called out to us in vain, their signals weak and unreliable. It took an eternity to comfort my mother before we finally returned home.
What kind of ceasefire is this? I wondered, my anger boiling over at the senseless violence that seemed to never truly end. We thought the explosions would stop, that our shattered lives could slowly be rebuilt without fear of reprisal. But under Israeli occupation, there's no such hope.
The reality check came in full force when the Israeli army bombed Twix Cafe, along with dozens of other locations throughout Gaza, claiming at least 45 lives and leaving many more injured. This was the deadliest day since the ceasefire took effect - a stark reminder that Israel continues to kill, every single day, without apology or remorse.
The list of victims is staggering. Eleven members of the Abu Shaaban family were massacred in an Israeli bombing, their lives cut short while trying to return home. The number of Palestinians killed since the so-called ceasefire began has risen to over 100. It's as if Israel is treating this 'ceasefire' like a switch, flipping it on and off at its whim.
As I watched people rush to markets to stock up on food, their minds focused on survival in the face of uncertainty, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. We've lost forever the feeling of security, the knowledge that tomorrow we'll have enough to eat. Israel is not only violating the ceasefire by bombing us but also withholding aid it signed onto allowing.
The numbers are staggering: just 15% of promised aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, while thousands of injured people remain stranded without access to medical treatment. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains closed, leaving our sole outlet to the world sealed. When will we be allowed to leave for education or reunite with loved ones? Will we ever be able to return home?
The Israeli policy of starving Gaza's north is still in effect, and the World Food Programme has reported no large aid convoys have entered Gaza City since the ceasefire began. The agency's spokesperson was told that Israel refuses to grant permission for them to use Salah al-Din Street.
In a world where our lives seem to be nothing more than a headline about Israel's endless killing spree, we remain at the mercy of an occupier who can resume mass murder whenever it pleases. We will continue to wait for the world to finally recognize our right to live and take real action to secure it. Until then, we'll remain trapped in this cycle of violence and fear.
10 days into a 'ceasefire' that's more like a ticking time bomb... I mean what even is a ceasefire anymore? It sounds like just another promise made by Israel to keep us Palestinians on our toes 
. You can't make this stuff up, every time there's a supposed lull in violence, the Israelis come out swinging 
. And now with 45+ people dead and dozens more injured, it's clear that their intention was never to broker peace, just to maintain control 
.
. The numbers are mind-boggling: only 15% of promised aid has entered Gaza since the ceasefire began? That's not a policy, that's a dereliction of duty 
. And let's not forget the Rafah border crossing is still sealed, cutting us off from the world completely 
.
. No more half-measures, no more empty promises. We deserve to live without fear of violence, without the constant uncertainty of when our next meal will come or if we'll ever be able to leave 
. It's time for the world to wake up and take notice: Gaza is not just a news headline, it's a human crisis 
.
The way I see it, the word "ceasefire" got lost in translation 
. It's like they think we're just gonna sit around waiting for things to get better without any action from them 
. And can we talk about how messed up it is that Israel's got this tight grip on our lives? Like, we're literally stuck in a never-ending loop of violence and fear 
. The numbers don't lie: 100+ Palestinians killed since the "ceasefire" started... that's not exactly what I call progress 
. We deserve so much better than this 
.
every time there's supposed to be peace 
that Israel won't give us a break from their attacks 
. And can you believe they're starving Gaza with aid trucks barely making it in? 
. When will we get some real help? 
. It's time for some change 
Gaza's people are literally living in silence, can't even get aid or leave their homes... meanwhile the world is just sitting back and doing nothing 
. israel's refusal to grant permission for aid convoys to enter gaza city has left thousands stranded without medical treatment 
. the world food programme reports only 15% of promised aid trucks have made it in, leaving us at the mercy of an occupier who can resume mass murder whenever it pleases 
. did you know that israel's blockade has resulted in a 1000% increase in poverty rates in gaza since 2007? 
it sounds like israel just gonna keep bombing us till they get the results they want. 100+ palestinians killed since it started? that's insane! 
and what really gets me is that israel keeps just flipping this 'ceasefire' switch on and off at its whim. no respect for human life whatsoever 
meanwhile, thousands of injured ppl are stuck without med care and the world just kinda... moves on 
We're still getting bombed and killed left and right. The numbers are insane - over 100 Palestinians dead since the so-called 'ceasefire' started... like what even is that? 
it's like, can't Israel just leave us alone for a sec? 
its so frustrating seeing ppl dying & being injured while israel just keeps bombing. 
the numbers r crazy - over 100 dead & countless injured. its like they're not even trying to keep their word anymore