THE RUINS AND THE HOPE

The image is impressive. Thousands of people marching among the ruins and piles of rubble, trying to locate the neighborhoods of Gaza where their homes were. When they find them, they find only ruins. There are tears and also hope from some who say they will rebuild their homes if a permanent ceasefire is established.

But this seems like an illusion. The new president, Donald Trump, said: “I think it will be difficult for the silence of the guns to last.” It has been four days of calm and hope is reborn; children play among the ruins; women cook in the middle of the street.

Fortunately, many trucks with aid have entered the enclave. 600 on the first day of calm; 900 on the second. This is also hopeful news.

But there is more. The unexpected; what few could imagine. Hamas has returned and the police of the movement branded as terrorists, parade in their 4x4 cars, with well-armed militiamen on board.

Hamas police inform people about where their homes were; they explain the help points. Hamas is back everywhere in the enclave. No one could imagine it, but that is the reality. It is Hamas that controls a Gaza made of ruins that are piling up one on top of the other.

It was known that Hamas would reappear as soon as a temporary ceasefire agreement was accepted, lasting about six weeks. If the war starts again, Hamas members will go into hiding, but the reality is that they are now seen everywhere.

Hope continues for the release of the hostages. The endless wait for the families who are waiting for them in Israel continues. The Jewish state has also made other humanitarian gestures. About fifty seriously wounded Hamas members have been allowed to cross the Rafah border every day to be hospitalized in Egypt. But on the other hand, analysts in the Israeli press have shown their pessimism, stating that the second phase of the agreement will not take place.