Countdown to Gaza Ceasefire Brings Hope Amidst Widespread Devastation
Anticipation and tension are mounting as the countdown continues for a ceasefire scheduled to take effect this Sunday.
As the ceasefire approaches, scheduled to commence on Sunday, a complex blend of hope and apprehension grips the residents of Gaza. Despite ongoing airstrikes by occupation forces, concerns persist among many who fear becoming the conflict’s last victims. Al-Akhbar’s war correspondent, Youssef Fares, provides an in-depth report from Gaza on the unfolding situation.
Discussions surrounding post-ceasefire strategies are taking center stage. In northern Gaza, residents who were displaced more than 100 days ago are making preparations to return to their war-torn communities. Mohammad Salha, a displaced resident from Tal Al-Zaatar, stated his immediate concerns: “My first action will be to locate my relatives, whom I have been unable to reach for the last 60 days. In the event that they have been martyred, we will honor their memory by ensuring a proper burial, and then assess the condition of our homes. If they are uninhabitable, we will once again need to seek alternative shelter.”
Numerous displaced families are confronted with an uncertain future following the recent conflict. Ahed Ali, currently residing with his relatives in southern Gaza, expressed his apprehensions: “We are truly grateful that the war has concluded, yet our worries remain significant. My family and I are temporarily living with our displaced relatives in the south. As the ceasefire is implemented, we will face the challenge of finding a new place to stay. Our home in Jabalia has been demolished, and we must vacate our relatives’ home to allow them to return, for which we are immensely thankful.”
Individuals such as Samah Hijazi are primarily concerned with locating their missing relatives. Hijazi stated, “Once the ceasefire takes effect, my immediate priority will be to search for my brother Mohammad’s remains and to provide him with a proper burial to bring solace to our mourning mother.”
According to sources cited by Al-Akhbar, northern Gaza is strewn with hundreds of bodies yet to be recovered. Efforts are currently underway by Palestinian Civil Defense and medical teams to retrieve the bodies and remove unexploded ordnance left in the wake of the Israeli occupation. These measures are essential before residents can safely return to their neighborhoods.
In a continuation of the ongoing conflict, a tragic incident occurred in Jabalia Al-Balad as the family home of journalist Amer Sultan was targeted in an airstrike by Israeli forces on Friday. The attack resulted in the deaths of Sultan’s family members, which included his wife, children, and parents. Rescue operations faced significant delays, commencing only by the following afternoon.
On January 18, 2025, the Palestine Info Center shared an update via their Twitter account, providing insights into ongoing developments. For further details, please visit the original post [here](https://twitter.com/palinfoen/status/1880465136856752530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw).
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In a recent escalation, the neighborhoods of Shuja’iyya, Al-Tuffah, Al-Daraj, and Sheikh Radwan experienced intense bombardment by aerial drones operated by the occupying forces. Additionally, remotely controlled machines equipped with explosives were used to demolish residential areas, resulting in the displacement of a significant number of residents.
