GAZA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians in the Gaza Strip expressed hope for a ceasefire in their besieged coastal enclave as soon as possible, following the truce that took effect between Israel and Lebanon on Wednesday.
"I am so happy for the Lebanese people to have reached a ceasefire -- they deserve to live in peace. I hope this will be the first step toward a real solution for us in Gaza that will end the war," said Hassan Owadia, a displaced Palestinian from Khan Younis, to Xinhua.
"For more than a year, we have endured war, killing, and hunger, while the whole world watches without taking action to save us from the immense suffering we face in Gaza," lamented the 32-year-old father of four.
Owadia, displaced multiple times during the Israeli war in Gaza, currently resides in dire conditions in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
"Because of the war, we have lost all our human rights, and we don't know when it will end. Most of the time, I feel we will never survive, but the Lebanon ceasefire has given me hope and optimism that the war here might end soon," he explained.
Hani Hamad, another displaced Palestinian from al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, attributed the success of Lebanon's truce to unified efforts.
"In Gaza, however, everyone seems focused on achieving their own goals, which has allowed Israel to continue its war against us," said the 45-year-old university lecturer. "Adhering to agendas that serve only certain factions denies the sacrifices of the Palestinian people."
He added, "There is no doubt the Israeli occupation is waging war on Palestinians, but we must realize that preserving lives and protecting our people must now be the priority, even if it comes at the expense of partisan gains and political interests."
Salma al-Rifae, a Palestinian woman in Gaza, echoed the call for unity among Palestinians to address the ongoing crisis.
"It is time for all Palestinians to unite their efforts to confront Israel's plans against us. We are exhausted from the war and the uncertainty about the fate we face," said the 53-year-old mother of seven to Xinhua.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since early Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel continues its large-scale offensive against Hamas, launched in retaliation for a Hamas assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The attack resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza has risen to 44,282, according to a statement by Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.■