‘Better late than never’: Gazans react to Security Council ceasefire resolution
A cautious welcome was given by civilians in Gaza to this week’s Security Council resolution endorsing a ceasefire for hostages deal - mixed with frustration that the fighting continues with both Hamas and the Israeli Government signalling that the three phase plan falls short.
The US-led resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of some hostages together with Palestinian prisoners, followed by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas and the return of Palestinians to their homes throughout Gaza while humanitarian aid flows in at scale.
UN News correspondent in Gaza Ziad Taleb spoke to some of the displaced people forced to move multiple times to flee the relentless Israeli offensive amid continuing counter attacks from Hamas militants on the ground.
Yearning for ‘normal life’
Muhammed Jarbou, currently living in the city of Deir al-Baleh hailed the Council vote as a “positive” if belated move to try and end the bloodshed.
“Better late than never”, he added. “I hope that the Security Council in cooperation with the United Nations, neighboring countries, Arab and Western countries, will force Israel to implement this resolution."
He hoped for an end to the fighting so that “we can return to how our lives were before October 7…after this long period of war.”
'The heart, is sad'
As for Ahmed Nasser, another person forced to flee his home in the northern Gaza Strip, described the resolution as “useless” because it failed to fall under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which authorizes the use of force to restore peace and security in exceptional circumstances.
Mr. Nasser pointed out that many decisions have been reached to aid Palestinians which have come to nothing.
“People are tired. My children are in Gaza City and I am here. We want to live a decent life like other people.”
Fayek Abu Assem agreed with that view. He voiced frustration, saying the resolution was similar to a previous ceasefire resolution - but he hoped this time it would be different so that Gazans could return to their own homes.
“People are hungry and bored. The heart, is sad.”
‘We do not see a glimmer of hope’
Nidal Ashour is another temporary resident of Deir al-Baleh, who is fluctuating between welcoming the resolution and feeling frustration as the bombing and the violence continues unabated.
“People cheered the decision but the next day everything was still the same”, he told our correspondent.
“Displacement, bombing, and killing continued. We do not see a glimmer of hope for the displaced to return to their homes."
But he stressed that it was better than no resolution at all. “The decision is good, even though it was very late, after about nine months of murder and the loss of loved ones.”
‘I want to visit my children’s graves’
One Palestinian woman, who asked for her name not to be used, expressed relief at the Council resolution. “We hope that there will be a ceasefire because we are tired. We hope that the war will stop”, she said.
Her children were killed in the north of Gaza Strip earlier in the war.
All she wants now is “for Eid al-Adha to come upon us and for me to visit my martyred sons in their graves. We want to return to our homes.”