Rushdi Abualouf

After a short lull for few hours , Israeli warplanes have begun a new round of airstrikes on Gaza.

In Gaza, the looming of war is what people feared most. Despite the immense hardships—severe shortages of water, food, and shelter—residents had experienced 57 days of relative calm. Not any more Now, that fragile respite is gone.

Here in Cairo, Egyptian officials, in coordination with Qatari officials, have intensified their contacts with both Hamas and Israel in an effort to contain the escalation and bring both parties back to the negotiating table.

The gap between the two sides is big , but a return to the negotiating table is still possible. Hamas seeks to release the fewest number of hostages in exchange for the longest possible period of calm, while Israel demands the release of the largest number of living hostages in

Breaking: Israeli warplanes launch dozens of airstrikes on most cities in across the Gaza Strip. https://t.co/OtA2lGqPCK

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My friend sent me this picture with the following message: “Alhamdulillah, we have returned home after a year and a half of displacement and two days of waiting at the checkpoint… and this is my house.” https://t.co/RQkCqw2Tgt

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“We have grown old waiting for this historic moment.” He wrote https://t.co/AuDXa0CyKm

The first returnees to northern Gaza after Israeli forces withdrew from the Netzarim checkpoint, allowing Palestinians to return. https://t.co/Fzn8hFkjf3

Joy mixed with fear as thousands of Gazans crossed the Israeli military checkpoint at Netzarim towards the northern Gaza Strip, which had separated them from their neighborhoods, towns, and villages for over a year. https://t.co/VUF0u1watw

An agreement has been reached to release the Israeli hostage on Friday, before Shabath, in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners serving long-term and life sentences. Additionally, the agreement includes allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return

Dozens of Hamas militants in military uniform gathered in Palestine Square in the heart of Gaza City ahead of the hostages hand over . Several vehicles carrying Hamas militants were also seen moving in several locations in Gaza City in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central https://t.co/jsVPzeOvDr

RT @BowenBBC: Trump in the Middle East. https://t.co/Ec5d1gIvSE

“I couldn’t believe I didn’t wake up startled, as I used to every night. The sound of birds was amazing. "Even though our beautiful home was reduced to rubble, I would rather have a moment of peace and happiness. "There is still room for the sadness https://t.co/Pf6968FA2q