After nearly two years of relentless violence, people in Gaza are welcoming the ceasefire with relief but also with fear that it may not last.
Yousrah Abu Sharekh, Program Coordinator at INARA Gaza, said on Pakistan TV 'morning show' that while the truce is “a very positive and welcome development,” it marks “only the beginning of a very complex chapter ahead.”
“There are more than 40,000 children who have sustained life-altering injuries — and many have lost family members, homes, and a sense of safety,” she said, adding that the emotional toll is “enormous.”
Humanitarian groups say trauma among Gaza’s children is deep and widespread, with many showing signs of severe distress and fear of renewed fighting.
“People are happy, yes, but they are also anxious. There’s a constant fear that the ceasefire might collapse,” Abu Sharekh warned.
Crowds celebrated the truce across Gaza, yet uncertainty remains. “Children have lost so much, they don’t want to lose more,” she said.
The INARA coordinator also cautioned about the lingering dangers of unexploded ordnance and debris, calling them “a serious threat to civilians, especially children.
“It’s not just about rebuilding homes; it’s about restoring safety and hope,” she stressed. “The road ahead is long, but the ceasefire gives us a small window of hope.”
