‘Better late than never’: Gazans react to Security Council ceasefire resolution
The US-led resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of some hostages along with Palestinian prisoners, followed by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas and the return of Palestinians to their homes. across Gaza while humanitarian aid poured in on a large scale.
UN News Gaza-based reporter Ziad Taleb spoke to some of those displaced multiple times to flee Israel’s relentless assault as Hamas militants continue to counterattack on the ground.
Longing for ‘normal life’
Muhammed Jarbou, who now lives in the city of Deir al-Baleh, hailed the Council vote as a “positive” if belated move to try to end the bloodshed.
Mohammed Jarbou currently lives in Deir al-Baleh, Gaza.
“Better late than never”, he added. “I hope that Security Council Cooperation with the United Nations, neighboring countries, Arab and Western countries will force Israel to implement this resolution.”
He hopes the fighting stops so “we can return to life as it was before October 7…after this long period of war.”
‘Heart, so sad’
As for Ahmed Nasser, another man forced to flee his home in the northern Gaza Strip, described the resolution as “futile” because it doesn’t fall in Chapter VII Later unchartedAuthorizes the use of force to restore peace and security in exceptional circumstances.
Mr. Nasser pointed out that many decisions were reached to support the Palestinians but went nowhere.
“People are tired. My children are in Gaza City and I am here. We want to live a decent life like everyone else.”
Fayek Abu Assem agrees with that view. He expressed disappointment, saying the resolution was similar to one previous ceasefire resolution – but he hopes this time things will be different so the people of Gaza can return to their homeland.
“People are hungry and bored. I feel so sad inside.”
Ahmed Nasser described the Security Council resolution as ‘useless’.
‘We don’t see any hope’
Nidal Ashour is another temporary resident of Deir al-Baleh who wavers between welcoming the resolution and feeling frustrated as the bombing and violence continue unabated.
“Everyone welcomed this decision but the next day everything remained the same,” he told our reporter.
“Displacements, bombings and killings continue. We do not see any hope for the displaced people to return to their homes.”
But he emphasized that it’s better than no solution at all. “THis decision was the right one, even though it was very late, after about nine months of killing people and losing loved ones.”
‘I want to visit my children’s graves’
A woman who ran away from home is now living in Deir al-Baleh, in the Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian woman who asked not to be named expressed relief at the Council’s resolution. “We hope there will be a ceasefire because we are tired. We hope that the war will end“, she speaks.
Her children were killed in the northern Gaza Strip earlier in the war.
All she wants now is “let Eid al-Adha come to us and let me visit my martyred sons in their graves. We want to return to our home.”
