Areeb Al-Rantawi: The military battle has ended with the ceasefire coming into effect, but the battle to negotiate the future of Gaza will erupt soon

Majed Hadeeb: The Gazans are between happiness for their survival and sadness for those who were swallowed by the Holocaust, and they look forward to the future despite the great challenges

Mohamed Gouda: Stopping the genocide is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new phase that requires efforts to save what remains and restore hope to citizens.

Talal Okal: Internal consensus is the key to resolving the problem of managing the Gaza Strip in a way that ensures its stability and enables it to recover

Dr. Saeed Shaheen: Gaza's legendary steadfastness broke the occupier's back and thwarted its hopes of achieving any victory, but the road to recovery is long and arduous

Nizar Nazzal: The terrifying images and scenes that will emerge from the Gaza Strip will shock the world and reveal the extent of the disaster

After more than 15 months of devastating war of extermination that ravaged the Gaza Strip and claimed the lives of tens of thousands, life is gradually returning to the Strip with the ceasefire coming into effect.

In separate interviews with “I”, writers, political analysts and university professors explain that this war, which began in October 2023, left behind massive destruction and severe human and material losses, as thousands lost their homes and loved ones, and large parts of the Strip were turned into rubble. But today, with the war stopping, the people of Gaza are experiencing moments mixed between joy at the end of the holocaust and sadness over what they have lost, while they search for hope that will restore to them some of the stability and security that they have long lacked.

They believe that despite the legendary steadfastness of the people of Gaza, which broke the back of the occupation and thwarted its hopes of achieving a decisive victory, the road to recovery seems long and arduous. The Strip needs more than just rebuilding buildings; it needs to rebuild hope, secure the basic necessities of life such as water, food and medicine, and rehabilitate the destroyed infrastructure, including hospitals and schools destroyed by the war. The psychological challenges suffered by the population, especially children and women, also require great efforts to overcome the trauma left by months of bombing and destruction.

They stress that this critical stage highlights the need for an internal Palestinian consensus that ensures effective management of the Gaza Strip and allows for fair and organized distribution of international aid. They also stress that the cessation of the war is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new phase of the struggle for life and dignity.

The Palestinian people are still steadfast despite the massive destruction

Oraib Al-Rantawi, director of the Jerusalem Center for Political Studies, confirms that the images broadcast by news agencies and television stations from Gaza after 471 days of war indicate that the Palestinian people are still steadfast despite the massive destruction that has befallen the Strip.

Al-Rantawi points out that the Palestinians, despite the horrific pain of loss they have suffered, have begun to shake off the ashes and rubble, and rebuild their lives on top of the ruins of their homes, affirming their determination to stand firm on their land and move forward in their struggle for Jerusalem and Palestine.

He explains that the state of chaos to return home was the general characteristic that distinguished the reactions of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, as they began to dismantle the tents and return to their cities, villages and camps, even if some were forced to set up tents on top of the rubble of their destroyed homes.

Al-Rantawi stresses that the idea of asylum and displacement, for which the Palestinians have paid a high price throughout their long history, is now rejected, no matter how great the sacrifices.

But Rantawi warns that the challenges facing Gaza are not easy, as the needs are enormous and require tremendous efforts to address them.

He points out that the first of these needs is urgent relief, sheltering the displaced, and reconstruction, stressing that the people of Gaza deserve all the attention and focus from their Arab brothers and the international community to lift the siege, open the crossings, and bring in sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, calling for the provision of shelter tools, such as prefabricated houses and tents, and the rehabilitation of the destroyed health and civil infrastructure.

Al-Rantawi stresses that the reconstruction file must remain away from politics and politicization, and must not turn into a tool of blackmail.

He stresses that the military battle has ended with the ceasefire coming into effect, but another battle no less fierce and dangerous will erupt soon, and its arena will be the negotiating tables and negotiation rooms regarding the future of Gaza after the war.

Al-Rantawi wonders whether Gaza will be subject to new Arab and international arrangements, or whether arranging the Palestinian house will be a purely Palestinian affair, as the resistance factions promised during the past months.

Al-Rantawi expressed his dissatisfaction with the internal Palestinian failure to reach a consensus formula to manage the Gaza and West Bank file as one unit, warning against attempts to tailor the “day after the war” according to American, European and Israeli measurements, calling for blocking the path to these suspicious paths, stressing that Israel usually obtains in negotiations what it did not achieve in war, which should be a red line that does not allow the Palestinians to fall into its trap.

Regarding the management of Gaza, Rantawi points out that the current scene indicates that Hamas has begun to organize the affairs of the Gaza Strip, as its security and police forces have taken to the streets to restore order and prevent the violations and thefts that spread during the war. He explains that this scene has raised concerns in Israel, as Hamas has sent a clear message that the project to destroy it has failed, and that it still has the upper hand in Gaza.

Rantawi stresses that Hamas is part of the Palestinian fabric and the Palestinian national movement, and that it is not a marginal force that can be jumped over, calling on the international community to deal with it as an existing reality, pointing out that political hypocrisy and Israeli interests are what prevent reaching reasonable formulas for managing the entire Palestinian scene.

Catching Breath After 15 Months of War

Writer and political analyst Majed Hadeeb confirms that from the first moment of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and even before that, with the news of a possible prisoner exchange agreement, the citizen in Gaza began to catch his breath after 15 months of war that left behind massive destruction. This war began on October 7, 2023, and left nothing intact; many lost their homes, properties, and even their loved ones. Today, with the cessation of fighting, the Gazans are searching for a lifeline, for hope that will restore some of the stability and security they have long lacked.

Hadib points out that during the war, the citizen in Gaza was living in a state of constant movement between fear and insecurity, as many lost the basic necessities of life, from housing and money, and even personal security.

Hadib confirms that, however, during the first moments of the truce, the people of Gaza lived between feelings of joy and happiness for their escape from the holocaust and feelings of sadness for those who were swallowed by the fires of that holocaust.

According to Hadib, hope remains present among the Gazans, who see the ceasefire as the beginning of a new life, despite everything they have been through.

Hadeeb stresses that the Palestinians in Gaza are now looking to the future, even though the challenges are great: total destruction, huge human and material losses, and the loss of their children’s future due to the collapse of the educational and health systems.

Hadib points out that the issue is not limited to financial losses; many parents complain about their children’s inability to receive appropriate treatment due to the lack of medicines and the collapse of the health infrastructure.

He points out that hospitals, which were already suffering from a lack of resources before the war, are now unable to accommodate the huge numbers of wounded and sick people.

Hadib believes that what the citizen in Gaza needs now goes beyond mere reconstruction; he needs to secure the basic necessities of life, starting with food and livelihood security, and reaching political security.

Hadib points out that Gaza, even before the war, was suffering from a near-absence of the elements of a decent life, as the citizens were living under a stifling siege and a depleted economy, and then the war came to complete what remained of a near-non-existent life.

Hadeeb stresses that citizens are now in dire need of water, food, treatment, and education, but most important of all is achieving political security, meaning living in areas subject to the law and understandings between all factions of the Palestinian people. Achieving this goal requires national consensus between the factions, which seems out of reach in light of the sharp divisions.

According to Hadeeb, since before the war, the Hamas government, as a de facto government, had been ignoring its duties towards the citizens, as it focused on strengthening its control and collecting tax money to finance its employees at the expense of the people. During the war, its absence was more evident, as it only appeared in attempts to silence voices and maintain its prestige, and to send messages to the people and the region that it still controls the joints of life in Gaza.

Hadib stresses that managing the situation in Gaza today requires rebuilding institutions capable of providing services, which cannot be achieved without true national unity, stressing that national unity is not just a slogan, but rather a necessity to save what remains of the Palestinian cause.

He believes that the Palestinian people cannot achieve any progress without national unity. This unity must be based on clear strategies that were previously agreed upon in the rounds of reconciliation sponsored by Arab countries. What the Palestinians need today is the implementation of these agreements, not renegotiation and dialogue about them.

Hadeeb stresses that the PLO, as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, must return to the forefront of the political and security scene in Gaza, and that Hamas, for its part, must abide by previous agreements and submit to the leadership of the PLO, including commitment to international political agreements.

According to Hadeeb, the ultimate goal must be to achieve an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital, and this goal will not be achieved except through true national unity and the commitment of all factions to a unified political program.

Priority for relief and meeting urgent humanitarian needs

Writer and political analyst Mohammed Joda confirms that after 470 days of the massacre that took place in the Gaza Strip, it seems that stopping the genocide will be the beginning of a new phase that aims to stop the flow of blood, end the suffering of the Palestinian people, and begin the process of construction and recovery.

Joudah explains that at this stage, relief and meeting urgent humanitarian needs will be the top priority, as the sector needs to provide food, clean water, and medicine to the affected areas, in addition to re-operating hospitals and health centers to provide urgent medical care to the wounded and injured.

Joda stresses that providing temporary housing for displaced people who have lost their homes is an urgent and vital matter, especially in light of the widespread destruction of residential infrastructure. The importance of psychological rehabilitation cannot be overlooked, as children and women who have suffered the horrors of war need intensive psychological support to help them overcome the trauma they have been exposed to.

Joda stressed that rebuilding basic infrastructure will also be a priority, including repairing electricity, water and sewage networks, in addition to restarting and rehabilitating schools to ensure that the educational process is not interrupted for a long period. These steps will be necessary to save an entire generation of children from the risk of being deprived of education.

Joda believes that organizing aid and services in the Gaza Strip will require joint coordination between several international and local parties, most notably the United Nations and its specialized organizations, such as the World Food Program (WFP), UNRWA, and the World Health Organization (WHO). International non-governmental organizations, such as the International Red Cross and humanitarian relief organizations, will also play a pivotal role in providing field assistance.

Joudeh explains that the Palestinian Authority will be the official body responsible for coordination with the international community, while the de facto government in Gaza (under Hamas administration) will deal with field operations on the ground. Supporting countries, such as Egypt and Qatar, will play important roles in reconstruction and coordination, along with local civil society institutions that will be a key partner in implementing relief projects.

Joudah believes that to ensure the efficiency and transparency of aid distribution, it is necessary to establish an international mechanism under the supervision of the United Nations, to avoid chaos or misdistribution that may hinder the delivery of aid to those in need.

Joda believes that Hamas, which has effective control over the ground in Gaza, will play a major role in managing services and aid on the ground, and will seek to assert its influence locally and internationally by improving the humanitarian response and demonstrating its effectiveness on the ground.

According to Joda, the Palestinian Authority will seek to appear as a legitimate front to receive international support, especially since the international community deals with it as an official body. However, reality requires that the Authority manage the Gaza Strip as an integral part of the homeland, without any party or organisational body having the right to impose its control over the stricken Strip.

"At this critical stage, I believe that our people need someone to restore their hope for a better tomorrow, as it is no longer possible after this war of extermination and all the wars that preceded it, for the situation in the Gaza Strip to continue as it was. The Palestinian people have the right to live in freedom, security and peace, under the umbrella of one authority and one legitimate weapon, within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which represents all Palestinians," Joda said.

Jodeh stresses that this requires a review by all parties of the situation in the Palestinian arena after the black division, which must be ended irreversibly, as national interests must overcome political differences, to ensure the interests of the Palestinian people at this critical stage of their history.

Joudeh believes that the countries of the region should strengthen the presence of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip, and the international community should support and pressure in this direction, in the interest of the Palestinian people and the entire region.

Joda believes that stopping the genocide in Gaza is not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a new phase that requires tremendous efforts to save what remains of the Strip and restore hope to a people who have suffered greatly.

Restoring some semblance of normal life

Despite the heavy price paid by the people of Gaza, the general scene remains largely festive, as people look forward to regaining some semblance of normal life after 15 months of killing and destruction caused by the Israeli occupation, writer and political analyst Talal Okal asserts.

According to Awkal, humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip are at the top of the priorities, as the population needs everything from food and medical supplies to removing the wounded from under the rubble. These immediate needs are the top priority, while tents and other supplies such as water and energy will be provided later, in addition to equipment for removing rubble, retrieving bodies and opening roads.

Awkal explains that the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip includes provisions aimed at regulating the internal situation, including allowing Hamas police to deploy in the streets to maintain security and help organize the process of distributing humanitarian aid, and prevent any chaos that may arise due to competition to obtain basic materials, as this deployment comes within the framework of an attempt to restore order to the Strip, especially in light of the difficult circumstances that the residents are living in.

In terms of distributing aid, Awkal points out that the UN institutions, with the exception of UNRWA, will undertake this task in cooperation with community leaders and reformers. This step is intended to ensure that aid reaches those in need in an organized and fair manner, while avoiding any exploitation or corruption that might hinder the process. The Rafah crossing, which is the main lifeline for Gaza, will also be under the management of the Palestinian Authority, reflecting an attempt to reorganize the administrative situation in the Strip.

Regarding the issue of managing the Gaza Strip in general, and that it is a matter that has not yet been resolved, Awkal stresses that internal Palestinian consensus is the key to resolving this problem, expressing his hope that a quick agreement will be reached that will guarantee the stability of the Strip and enable it to recover from the effects of the war.

Awkal stresses that at the present time, the priority remains saving lives and providing basic needs, while working to resolve internal differences to ensure a more stable future for the people of Gaza.

Gaza Strip tries to heal its deep wounds and overcome its pain

Professor of Political Media at Hebron University, Dr. Saeed Shaheen, confirms that the Gaza Strip, after 15 months of bloody war of extermination, is trying to heal its deep wounds and overcome the pain caused by the war, which resulted in huge losses in lives and property.

Shaheen confirms that the feelings of the people of Gaza on the first day of the cessation of the war of extermination were a mixture of joy and pain; joy at the cessation of the war and escape from the holocaust, and pain at the loss of loved ones, family, and the city that had been turned into rubble.

Shaheen believes that Gaza's legendary steadfastness has broken the occupier's back and thwarted its hopes of achieving any moral or material victory. However, the road to recovery is long and arduous, as Gaza needs everything: from security and peace to urgent relief and reconstruction, bread, water and medicine, and the rebuilding of hospitals and destroyed infrastructure.

Shaheen points out that the priority now is to consolidate the ceasefire agreement and not allow the return of war, especially in light of the repeated threats by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Shaheen stresses that the management of the Gaza Strip must be in the hands of the Palestinians, supported by their Arab brothers and international friends who have realized the injustice of the Palestinian people and the brutality of the occupation.

He proposes forming a national committee or a technocratic government that brings together all Palestinian factions under the supervision of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the resistance forces.

Shaheen stresses that this government will be responsible for managing the reconstruction process and restoring life to the Gaza Strip, a task that requires broad international support.

Shaheen believes that the Palestinian National Authority, as an internationally recognized body, can carry out this task in cooperation with Hamas and other factions, stressing that no individual party will be able to achieve success without unifying efforts under one Palestinian roof.

If the two sides of the Palestinian division fail to reach an agreement, Dr. Shaheen proposes forming an Arab committee to temporarily manage Gaza until a comprehensive national agreement is reached.

Shaheen stresses that Gaza today needs more than just rebuilding buildings; it needs to rebuild hope and faith in a better future, which requires joint efforts from Palestinians, Arabs and the entire world.

People will see with their own eyes what they have been hearing for the past months.

Nizar Nazzal, a researcher specializing in Israeli affairs and conflict issues, confirms that with the start of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the picture inside the Strip is a mixture of feelings of joy and pain, where there is joy for the end of the massacre that lasted for fifteen months, and pain for the massive destruction and heavy human and material losses it left behind. Shocking scenes will appear, broadcast by satellite channels and the media, as the first days will reveal the extent of the disaster that the Strip has experienced: large numbers of missing persons, thousands of martyrs, and wounded people in need of urgent care.

Nazzal points out that the horrific images that will emerge from Gaza will shock the world, as people will see with their own eyes what they have only been hearing about in the past months.

Nazzal points out that, in return, there will be freedom of movement available to citizens that will allow them to reach the areas from which they were displaced, which will reveal the extent of the destruction that has affected homes and infrastructure.

Nazzal stresses that the first priorities for citizens are to find temporary shelter, arrange tents and caravans, check on relatives and loved ones, and provide food and shelter for the displaced. There will be an urgent need to rehabilitate the destroyed areas and provide temporary housing for families who lost their homes. In addition, health care will be a priority, as the wounded and injured need urgent treatment in light of the destruction of many hospitals and health centers.

Regarding the management of the Gaza Strip, Nazzal believes that the situation will not be different from what it was before October 7, and that Hamas will continue to manage the Strip, with its government and some international organizations that will provide support.

Nazzal does not expect any radical changes in the administration of the Gaza Strip, as Hamas will remain the main actor on the ground.

On the other hand, Nazzal believes that the role of the Palestinian Authority will be limited in the foreseeable future, although the Authority may try to play a role in coordination with the international community, but its influence on the ground will not be great, as Hamas will not oppose the presence of the Authority’s role in Gaza, but it will not allow it to take full control of the administration of the Strip.

Nazzal points out that Gaza will witness a large influx of international aid in the coming days, as thousands of trucks loaded with food, medicine and medical supplies will arrive, and this aid will reflect the world's sympathy with the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He points out that Hamas will seek to show that the Palestinian resistance has not been broken, and that Israel has failed to achieve its strategic goals, and Hamas will use this scene to confirm its influence locally and internationally, especially in light of the flow of aid and reconstruction.

Nazzal believes that the reality in Gaza will be different from what it was in the past months. The shocking images and terrifying scenes will reveal the extent of the disaster, but they will also be the beginning of a new phase of recovery and reconstruction.