Gaza Metropolis – For a lot of in Gaza, US President Donald Trump’s current threats really feel like nothing greater than a justification for additional violence and collective punishment in opposition to them.
Late on Wednesday, Trump had threatened the folks of Gaza, saying they’d all be “useless” if captives continued to be held there.
As Gaza continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of conflict – mass displacement, widespread destruction, and dire humanitarian situations – individuals are exhausted and sceptical about worldwide efforts to resolve the conflict.
Al Jazeera spoke to Palestinians in northern Gaza about Trump’s threats.
‘Nothing left to grieve’
Yasser Al-Sharafa, 59, At His Highway Standing Candies and Snacks in remal, Central Gaza Metropolis (Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera)
Yasser al-Sharafa, 59, stated he ignores these threats as a result of, like many in Gaza, he has “nothing left to lose”.
Now, he runs a makeshift stand promoting sweet and snacks to youngsters.
Earlier than, he stated: “I was a well known clothes service provider. I had a big store, a six-storey constructing, a automotive, and inventory warehouses in Tel al-Hawa in Gaza Metropolis. All these years of arduous work vanished, destroyed within the conflict.
“In all places you look is destruction, destroy, and distress. Is there something left for us to grieve?
“Trump or whoever, it makes no distinction.”
Displaced southwards in the course of the conflict, al-Sharafa and his household returned to the north after the ceasefire started, solely to discover a devastated space the place life is barely attainable.
“Even when we hand over the captives, nothing will change. The conflict would possibly return at any second underneath a brand new pretext they provide you with. We’ve misplaced belief in your entire world.”
‘Is Gaza the foundation of the world’s issues?’
Jamila Mahmoud, 62, rejects Trump’s threats, contemplating them psychological warfare (Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera)
Jamila Mahmoud, 62, didn’t hear Trump’s precise phrases, however a few of her members of the family mentioned it on Thursday morning.
“As you see, we’re utterly reduce off from every little thing. No web, no electrical energy, no technique of communication,” she stated.
Mahmoud believes Trump’s threats are a part of a psychological conflict geared toward forcing folks out of Gaza.
“Each time, there’s a brand new state of affairs – typically, it’s speak of compelled displacement; typically, it’s Israel taking on Gaza; and immediately, it’s threats to all of Gaza’s residents over the captives.”
“Has Gaza instantly turn into the foundation of all of the world’s issues?” she requested.
Mahmoud insists that it doesn’t matter what occurs, she’s going to by no means hand over her proper to reside in Gaza, her homeland.
“I’ll stay on my land, even when it’s simply the rubble of my dwelling, it doesn’t matter what,” she affirmed.
‘Nobody’s standing by us’
Ayman Abu Dayyeh, 60, desires Hamas at hand over the captives and finish the conflict (Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera)
Ayman Abu Dayyeh, strolling dwelling with just a few meals objects for his household, advised Al Jazeera he simply desires “Hamas to prioritise the general public curiosity proper now – to just accept a deal, negotiate, and hand over the captives so this infinite nightmare can lastly finish.”
“That is the one cheap choice … our place is weak, and nobody’s standing by us,” the 60-year-old added.
However he does doubt that handing over the captives is not going to finish the conflict for Trump and Israel, though it could make a future conflict much less devastating.
“I imagine the American folks will reject these threats. They received’t settle for their nation main one other genocidal conflict,” Abu Dayyeh stated.
“We’ve misplaced 50,000 folks. Two of my sons had been killed on this conflict – in October and December 2023 – two younger males of their prime. I misplaced my dwelling, too. We’ve had sufficient loss and struggling,” he added.
“The Arab states are silent, and the Europeans are silent. How can we proceed combating with none supporters? We’ll be the one victims.”
‘Depart us alone’
Wael Abu Ahmed, 75, from Sheikh Radwan in northern Gaza Metropolis, stated he was shocked by Trump’s threats.
“What do now we have left in Gaza? We’ve witnessed horrors on this conflict – haven’t they finished sufficient?” he requested, sitting on a roadside curb.
“Trump’s statements carry no weight or worth. I feel he’s simply making threats to stress Hamas. The one factor left for them to do is wipe us out solely,” he added.
Ahmed, a retired bureaucrat and father of 5, now lives along with his youngsters and grandchildren in a single house after their home was repeatedly focused throughout Israel’s conflict.
He had refused to evacuate to the south and remained in northern Gaza along with his household till the ceasefire.
“I’ve lived extra years than I’ve left. I stayed in my dwelling and stated: ‘I’ll die right here it doesn’t matter what.’
“Depart us alone. Allow us to face the catastrophe that has befallen us – or kill us all and put us out of our distress. That’s all I’ve left to say,” he concluded, strolling away.
