After ten months of death and destruction due to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, most residents of the strip have been displaced multiple times. Many of them have suffered painful tragedies and losses, as no home or family has been spared the loss of a relative or loved one. The tragedies continue to unfold while many Gazans today look towards the mediators' meeting in Doha in hopes of reaching a ceasefire.
We hope for an end to the war. In Deir al-Balah in the besieged central strip, Ibrahim Mukhaimer said, "We hope for an end to the war, and we wish for the aggression to stop. Ten months of a policy of starvation and isolating the people from the world. We need an end to the aggression to allow medical supplies into the Gaza Strip because we all suffer."
For his part, Rami al-Khudari expressed hope for a resolution. He said, "We pray to God for solutions so that the displaced can return to their homes. We are now beggars. The people have died, their legs and arms have been severed, and homes have been destroyed." In a voice filled with despair, he added, "We tell the head of Hamas's political office, Yahya Sinwar, we want a solution, and to Netanyahu to end this issue."
Many Israelis have also expressed hope for an agreement between the Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas to release Israeli prisoners held in Gaza since October 7. Nurse Karmit Almog, 48, from Tel Aviv, said, "I feel that this must end. We have to bring back the hostages. We need to reach an agreement to rehabilitate ourselves. I feel that the people want peace and want the war to end." Meanwhile, Ron Itzhak, 50, stated, "I believe that if the Israeli government has a problem reaching an agreement, it's good that we have allies like the United States and Europeans who want an agreement."
