Crowds have gathered in Rafah, on the southern Gaza strip to celebrate reports of a looming ceasefire. It comes as some Israeli officials urge the Government to pause the planned invasion of Rafah until a formal Hamas response to the proposal.

Rafah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

In Rafah, a city located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, large gatherings have taken place as locals celebrate the prospective peace brought on by ongoing ceasefire talks. The anticipation of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel has sparked a wave of optimism among the residents, despite underlying frustrations and fears of negotiation failures.

The festive atmosphere in Rafah is a reflection of the residents' cries for peace and a return to their homes, following multiple displacements due to the conflict. The chants for a ceasefire, known locally as "Hodna," underscore the community's yearning for stability and an end to the hostilities that have plagued their lives. This sentiment is mirrored by the mixed emotions present among the crowd, as hope for a positive outcome from the Cairo-based negotiations coexists with trepidation over the potential collapse of the talks.

On the backdrop of this civilian optimism, there are emerging reports of internal pressures within Israel's government. Some officials are urging a halt to the planned invasion of Rafah, advocating for a pause until an official response from Hamas regarding the ceasefire proposal is received. This development marks a critical juncture in the conflict, highlighting the importance of diplomatic efforts in Cairo aimed at achieving lasting peace in the region.



Gaza residents react to ceasefire talks

Well Cyril, as you can clearly hear right now at the background that Palestinian children, men and everyone is chanting that we want to return. We want to have Hodna, which means a ceasefire agreement. They have been chanting this for a couple of hours ago and right now they have been re-chanting as they are completely optimistic about this round of negotiations to be made that is ongoing in Cairo between Hamas and Israel. They have been following closely what was going on there as they have been really feeling the optimistic atmosphere of this round of talks in order to get to a ceasefire agreement. But that kind of happiness that Palestinians are really having right now is completely mixed with a deep and completely hidden sense of frustration regarding any possibility for the collapse of the negotiations. They have been calling for the return because they have been multiply displaced from their houses. They have been going through really difficult humanitarian security conditions and they are waiting eagerly to the day they might really return back to their houses in the north. So any collapse of these ongoing negotiations will be extremely a shock for the vast majority of Gaza's population who are really hoping to hear soon the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Tarek Abouazoum, thank you for your reporting there from southern Gaza in Rafah where so many Palestinians have been displaced since the beginning of this conflict. Thank you.

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Israel-Gaza War