'Hope it lasts': Palestinians welcome news of Gaza ceasefire with cautious optimism

As an official ceasefire in Gaza hangs in the balance, Palestinians on the ground and people around the world are greeting the prospect of an end to the war on the besieged enclave with cautious optimism.

US President Donald Trump announced late on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had “both signed off” on the first phase of a plan to end the two-year war on Gaza, which has been recognised as a genocide by the United Nations. Yet by Thursday, Israeli air strikes continued across the enclave, underscoring the fragility of the deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is scheduled to vote on Thursday on the first phase of the agreement, which would lead to the release of 48 Israeli captives in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian detainees, along with a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

As news of the agreement spread, videos emerged from Gaza showing Palestinian children celebrating in the streets.

 

 

 

 

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Videos of slain journalists Anas Sharif and Hossam Shabat announcing the previous ceasefire resurfaced across social media. Many who shared the clips said the two should have been the ones to announce the ceasefire.

"Oh, how sweet it would have been to hear from you, Anas," a post on X with nearly fifty thousand likes reads. "We miss you, our great martyr, the eternal voice of Gaza."

Amidst the brief moments of joy, many found it hard to believe. Most of the reactions online - from within the enclave and across the international community - carried the same cautious refrain, given that previous ceasefires were not permanent.

"People in Gaza are still cautious despite the mixed feelings of relief, joy, grief, loss, pain and hope that this nightmare truly comes to a Full End," journalist Youmna El Sayed posted from Gaza. "What Palestinians have lost in 2 years of Genocide in Gaza is an entire homeland with its people, streets, trees and life!"

My friend’s brother was killed the morning of the first “ceasefire” in November 2023. Holding my breath for all the Palestinians in Gaza trying to survive the violence and terror Israel is currently unleashing.

— Laila Al-Arian (@LailaAlarian) October 9, 2025

Another post on X reads: "I hope this ceasefire lasts. I think everyone who's followed knows how tenuous and brittle the words of the mediators are, and can think of countless scenarios were worse is to come. But I hope this ceasefire lasts."

Other posts welcomed the potential ceasefire, but shifted attention to the immense losses over the last two years. Although the official death toll is over 67,000, several estimates say the death toll could be much higher. The Lancet in July said the death toll could be over 186,000.

"Is it truly over? Will the martyrs ever return?" Palestinian Ahmed El-Madhoun posted from Gaza. 

"To the martyrs we lost and still love... Come back to us, please - the war is over. The earth longs for your footsteps, and our hearts for your names, for you are the light that never fades, no matter how deep the darkness," Palestinian Mahmoud Massri posted on X. 

Photojournalist Abdulrahman Ismail wrote on X: "Now, I shall weep. Weep for all that was lost and shall never return, with a heart heavy with sorrow and a soul crushed by grief."

Middle East Eye journalist Maya Hussaini said that no one in Gaza really made it out "alive". 

None of us made it out completely alive.
But we will rise again because the fight to end the illegal occupation will never die.

We've made it with you, we've made it in you, our Gaza

— Maha Hussaini (@MahaGaza) October 9, 2025

"After 731 days of genocide, people have learned to fear even happiness - to mistrust silence, as if peace itself were a trap," Dr Mohammed Hamad posted on X. "And yet, in every Palestinian heart, one voice remains: Maybe tomorrow … the fire will fade, and the dream will begin again."

Many are also skeptical that the ceasefire will happen at all. Those that are wary have pointed out that the only thing that has been agreed upon is the first phase - which has yet to be enacted as the Israeli cabinet vote awaits - not a full and permanent ceasefire. 

"Even if this 'first phase' deal is implemented, the task for people around the world is not to question and second guess, but to keep protesting, advocating, educating, boycotting and building pressure to end the complicity which enables 'Israel' to continue its crimes," Palestinian journalist Ali Abunimah posted on X. 

I will not seek false hope after two years of war and everyone is playing with us and our feelings and that the end is imminent and that this time is not like the previous one and after that nothing will happen except our defeat and you will not get our feelings then I do not…

— Mariam 𓂆 (@mariamradi13) October 8, 2025

Another strong sentiment online is that even if the ceasefire holds, it does not amount to a true peace deal. Many argue that peace can only begin once those who perpetrated the genocide are held accountable - and the decades-long occupation of Palestine is finally brought to an end.

"They have not yet ended the food and medical components of the genocide, murderous Israeli troops remain on the ground, thousands remain trapped in horrific Israeli dungeons, the assault on the West Bank continues, and the perpetrators are now planning the proxy occupation of Gaza, the subjugation of its people, and foreign extraction of its resources," former UN human rights expert Craig Mokhiber posted on X.

"We must keep the pressure on until all perpetrators and complicit actors are held accountable for the genocide, the apartheid regime is dismantled, and Palestine is free."

"A ceasefire is a respite, not justice," a social media user posted. "The Zionists have violated every truce, and they will use this one to deflate our momentum and escape accountability. We reaffirm our commitment to ensure they are held to account. Because liberation is the only guarantee of safety."