October 12, 2025 | Gaza City
After weeks of relentless fighting, Hamas forces have reemerged in Gaza City, marking their return to the heart of the territory as a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas takes effect. The ceasefire, brokered through Egyptian and Qatari mediation with U.S. support, has paused one of the deadliest phases of the conflict in recent memory.
As dawn broke over the war-torn enclave, thousands of residents cautiously stepped out of shelters, surveying the destruction left behind. Entire neighborhoods lie in ruins, yet the sounds of drones and artillery have fallen silent — for now.
A Fragile Calm After Weeks of War
The truce, announced late Sunday night, came into force at 6 a.m. local time. Under the terms, both sides agreed to halt all offensive operations, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and begin indirect talks on a longer-term ceasefire.
Within hours of the truce taking effect, armed Hamas units began to appear in several districts of Gaza City, including Al-Rimal and Al-Sabra. Witnesses told Caaqil News that masked gunmen were seen patrolling streets, inspecting damaged government buildings, and helping distribute limited aid supplies.
>They are back,” said Mahmoud Al-Khatib, a local resident. “We didn’t know if any of them were still alive. Now they’re here again — rebuilding checkpoints and raising their flags.
For residents, the return of Hamas fighters represents both a symbol of resistance and a reminder of the deep political divisions that continue to define life in Gaza.
Israel’s Position: ‘The Truce Is Conditional
Israeli officials have confirmed the start of the truce but warned that “any violation will result in immediate retaliation.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the pause is designed primarily to facilitate humanitarian access and hostage negotiations.
>Israel will observe the truce as long as Hamas does,” an IDF spokesperson said. “But our forces remain on full alert along the Gaza perimeter.
The IDF added that it has withdrawn from several urban zones inside Gaza City but will maintain surveillance and readiness for rapid deployment should hostilities resume.
Humanitarian Aid Flows In
As part of the agreement, convoys of humanitarian aid began crossing into Gaza through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom border points Monday morning. The United Nations confirmed that more than 100 trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies entered the enclave within the first hours of the ceasefire.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said hospitals, many of which had been on the brink of collapse, were beginning to receive essential supplies. Gaza’s healthcare system remains severely strained, with hundreds of wounded civilians still awaiting treatment.
>The truce offers a window — small but vital — to save lives,” said Dr. Lina Hassan, a field coordinator with the WHO. “We are racing against time to deliver medicine and fuel to hospitals.
Still, aid agencies caution that a few days of calm cannot repair months of devastation. Water shortages, power blackouts, and the risk of disease outbreaks continue to threaten civilians.
Hamas Declares ‘Victory of Resistance
In a televised address from an undisclosed location, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh hailed the truce as “a political and moral victory for the Palestinian resistance.”
>Our fighters stood firm despite bombardment and siege,” Haniyeh said. “Gaza remains steadfast, and our people’s will cannot be broken.”
Hamas officials claim that despite Israel’s military superiority, the movement has retained operational control in parts of Gaza, and its return to Gaza City is a sign of “strategic endurance.”
Analysts, however, caution that this rhetoric could complicate ongoing ceasefire talks, especially as Israel demands the return of hostages and demilitarization guarantees.
The Role of International Mediators
The truce is the result of weeks of intense diplomatic negotiations, led primarily by Egypt and Qatar, with support from the United States and the United Nations.
Cairo’s foreign ministry released a statement calling the ceasefire “a first step toward comprehensive de-escalation.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged both sides to uphold their commitments and focus on humanitarian relief.
>This truce must hold,” Blinken said. “The people of Gaza have endured enough. The world is watching.”
Qatari mediators are expected to host follow-up meetings in Doha later this week to discuss the potential exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as mechanisms for longer-term reconstruction.
Scenes of Destruction and Survival
Across Gaza City, the scale of destruction is overwhelming. Residential towers have been reduced to rubble, streets are littered with debris, and communication networks remain unstable. Despite the devastation, families are returning to check on their homes, many carrying white flags as a signal of peace.
>We don’t know where to start,” said Umm Nidal, a mother of three who returned to her neighborhood in Al-Zaytoun. “Everything is destroyed. But at least today, there are no explosions.
International aid groups are working around the clock to set up temporary shelters and field hospitals, warning that tens of thousands of people remain displaced.
Political Uncertainty Ahead
While the truce offers temporary relief, it remains unclear how long the calm will last. Israeli officials have made it clear that the ceasefire does not end their broader campaign to weaken Hamas, and the group continues to reject Israel’s political legitimacy.
Analysts predict that the truce could either pave the way for renewed negotiations — or collapse into renewed conflict if either side feels provoked.
>It’s a pause, not a peace,” said Dr. Omar Shaban, a Gaza-based political analyst. “Hamas is regrouping, Israel is watching, and both sides are calculating their next move.
A City Between Hope and Fear
As night fell over Gaza City, residents lit candles in darkened streets. The sound of children playing replaced the roar of fighter jets for the first time in weeks. Yet beneath the surface, fear and uncertainty remain.
>We’ve seen truces before,” said Ahmed Salim, a shopkeeper. “They last a few days, then the bombs return. We pray this time will be different.”
For now, Gaza breathes in fragile silence — a city caught between war and peace, defiance and despair. The next few days will determine whether the ceasefire holds or the cycle of violence resumes once more.
