Gazans Welcome Trump Ceasefire Call as Hostages Set for Release

Gazans Welcome Trump Ceasefire Call as Hostages Set for Release

Smoke still rose over Gaza City on Saturday, but for the first time in months, residents felt a fragile hope as US President Donald Trump called for Israel to halt its bombing.

“Trump’s announcement surprised me, as he has always seemed biased toward Israel,” said 24-year-old Jamila al-Sayyid from Gaza City’s Zeitun neighbourhood. While airstrikes continued after the announcement, she felt reassured staying in the city.

“The most important thing is the ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, who have been used as a pretext to continue the occupation,” she added, referring to the 47 hostages still held in Gaza, including 25 reported dead by the military.

On Friday night, Hamas agreed to release the hostages under Trump’s ceasefire plan. Following this, Trump urged Israel to immediately stop strikes, tweeting, “I believe they are ready for a lasting peace. Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly.”

Despite the announcement, Israel’s military warned that northern Gaza remained a “dangerous combat zone” and urged residents not to return. For many Gazans, however, the news brought relief.

Sami Adas, 50, who has been living in a tent in western Gaza City, called the day “a day of joy.” “The best thing is that President Trump himself announced a ceasefire, and Netanyahu will not be able to escape this time,” he said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cautious Optimism -

Further south in Al-Mawasi, displaced resident Mahmud Abu Shamala, 49, described the ceasefire as “a dream I have wished for two years.” He, like many others, remained cautious, fearing Israel might not honor the agreement after Hamas releases the hostages.

Several sticking points remain in the ceasefire talks. Netanyahu reportedly rejected proposals for Gaza to be governed by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, while Hamas has not addressed its own disarmament or the exile of its members, stating that further negotiations are needed.

Still, for many Palestinians, hope is returning after months of stalled negotiations and continued strikes, including targeted operations in Qatar.

“It’s enough… the situation is unbearable,” said Abu Hussein Labad, a displaced resident from Jabalia refugee camp. “God willing, the war will end and we can return to our destroyed homes.”

In Ramallah, residents praised Hamas for responding under US pressure. “Hamas’ stance yesterday was very good,” said Iyad Safi. “God willing, it will benefit the people—the most important thing is that the war stops.” Adnan Naeem added, “Hamas addressed the urgent issues. The other matters can be discussed later.”

For many in Gaza, the promise of a ceasefire and the potential release of hostages has sparked cautious optimism, offering a glimpse of relief amid months of violence and uncertainty.