Gaza hopes for peace after Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal takes effect

International communities and residents in Gaza called for peace as early as possible after the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire took effect on Wednesday.

People in many countries voiced their solidarity with residents in Gaza as the world marks the annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Friday.

"This year's commemoration is especially painful as those fundamental goals are as distant as they have ever been," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his message delivered at a UN special meeting in observance of the international day.

"It is past time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of hostages," the UN chief added.

As Israel continued its air strikes across Gaza after reaching a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the situation in the enclave is "getting worse," Gazans told AFP.

"We are living in a real life horror movie, the situation is indescribable, the Israeli bombing doesn't stop from the air or on the ground," Umm Ahmad Lubbad, 52, from Beit Lahia, said. The 52-year-old added that, "It is getting worse every day. The bombing does not stop."

The Health Ministry in Gaza said at least 37 people were killed on Thursday across the territory by Israeli air strikes, bringing the total death toll to at least 44,330 since last October.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East posted on X that "the conditions for survival (in northern Gaza) are diminishing for the 65,000-75,000 people estimated to remain there."

In interviews with CMG, residents in Gaza said there is famine in the region and they are tired of the Israel-Hamas conflict, adding that they hope for a ceasefire like that struck in Lebanon.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought some respite to tensions in the Middle East, but both sides accused each other of violating the deal on Thursday, which further makes the deal's future uncertain.

Li Zixin, assistant research fellow at China Institute of International Studies, said there are many ambiguous principles in the ceasefire deal that allow Israel to retaliate against any perceived threats.

In this sense, Israel can be an "athlete," "referee" and "arbitrator" in the deal, Li said, adding that whether Israel will be able to effectively implement a statute for itself in the future, in accordance with the relevant agreements, is uncertain.

Dong Manyuan, a researcher on Middle East issues at the China Institute of International Studies, said the 60-day deal can be maintained on the whole as both sides, especially Hezbollah, needs a period of time to adjust strategy, make up for personnel and weapon loss, and shore up its strength.

Nonetheless, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal is expected to increase the possibility of Israel-Hamas ceasefire. U.S. President Joe Biden recently said that his administration was pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that "President (Joe) Biden's announcement of a new initiative for a ceasefire in Gaza is a step that is long overdue but nonetheless an important one."

Erdogan added that "regional and global peace cannot be achieved unless an urgent, just, lasting ceasefire is established in Gaza."

In an interview with Channel 14, an Israeli broadcaster, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that conditions for reaching a possible deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip have considerably improved without giving specific details.