Smoke rises over Gaza City on Saturday, just like most days in the past two years. Yet, for the first time in a long time, a hope is emerging – not least since Donald Trump for the first time urged Israel to stop bombing.
Admittedly, the bombs are still falling, notes Jamila al-Sayyid to the news agency AFP. But she still feels that the decision to stay in Gaza City was right.
I was very surprised by Trump's announcement, since he has always been very biased towards Israel.
The most important thing now is that the ceasefire comes into effect and that the hostages are released. They are an excuse for Israel to continue its occupation.
”Can't escape”
Despite Israel warning on Saturday that northern Gaza is still a "dangerous war zone", Sami Adas, also in Gaza City, thinks it's a "day of joy".
The best thing is that President Trump himself announced the ceasefire agreement, and therefore (Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu can't escape this time, says the 50-year-old to AFP.
Trump is the only one who can force Israel to stop the war, Adas believes.
Doubting Hamas
Others express doubts. Some believe that Hamas is walking into a trap; that Israel will resume arms against Gaza as soon as the hostages are released. Others do not believe in Hamas' statement that they are ready to release the hostages and power in Gaza.
They call it wisdom, or putting the people first. But the truth is that it's about Hamas' continued power. I doubt they even wrote the statement – it was all too clever, says Hamas critic Khalil Abu Shammala to BBC.
Ibrahim Fares urges patience.
Let's not be carried away by optimism. There will be rounds of talks about the details, and "the devil is in the details", he says to BBC.
