ALWAGHT- Early hope has faded as people worry the ceasefire means not peace, but irregular and unpredictable attacks.
Ameen al-Zein was among the many Gazans who celebrated news of a ceasefire, believing it would finally bring peace. Just 30 minutes after encouraging others to return home, he was killed in an Israeli strike on the school where he was sheltering. His death, and more than 100 others in a single day, has deeply shaken confidence in the truce.
The continued strikes followed incidents involving hostages and clashes in southern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days since the ceasefire began. Many now fear the agreement has not stopped the war but has only made violence more sporadic and unpredictable, leaving people unable to plan even basic parts of their lives.
Daily routines remain dangerous, especially for medical workers like Hussain Abu Munir, who travels through checkpoints under the constant threat of renewed attacks. International mediators insist the ceasefire will hold, but Israel has carried out additional strikes, falsely claiming that Hamas is still a threat.
Residents had hoped the pause in fighting would allow families and children to regain some sense of normalcy, including a return to school. But the recent bombings have shattered that hope, with many saying they no longer feel safe and have lost trust that the ceasefire will last.
