A new ceasefire agreement, hailed by some as a historic step towards peace, has raised cautious hopes across Gaza while leaving critical questions unresolved. Palestinian negotiators announced that they had secured assurances from the United States and other mediators that Israeli forces would adhere to a permanent cessation of military operations. This agreement, however, comes after two years of genocidal war that left Gaza devastated and its people facing unimaginable loss.

The deal includes a large-scale exchange of prisoners, hundreds of Palestinians detained since the war began will be released in return for living prisoners and the remains of deceased captives. Yet for many in Gaza, the agreement is as much a test as it is a promise. The conditions of the truce, the full withdrawal of occupying forces, and the question of Gaza’s political future remain unresolved. Meanwhile, destruction continues to shadow any sense of stability, as the blockade and damage to essential infrastructure leave Gaza dependent on aid and reconstruction that has yet to materialise.

The announcement of the ceasefire came with bold declarations of “everlasting peace,” yet for many it feels more like a fragile pause than a resolution. The fate of Gaza now hangs in the balance , dependent not just on political guarantees, but on tangible actions that address the deep wounds of years of war. Without meaningful guarantees for reconstruction, freedom of movement, and the restoration of rights, the ceasefire risks becoming another chapter in a long history of broken promises.