Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets overnight to celebrate the prospect of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

They welcomed the news of a deal to pause the fighting and release Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The agreement has not yet been signed and it is only the first phase of a peace plan set out by US President Donald Trump. After two years of war, the deal would bring much relief to the enclave.

But there is also scepticism. Israel broke the previous ceasefire in March and Palestinians are fearful that could happen again.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher is joined by The National’s correspondent in Cairo, Hamza Hendawi. They discuss the terms of the agreement, what is missing and what will happen next?

Almost 70,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war in Gaza began two years ago after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel. About 90 per cent of residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed. On average, a child is killed every hour.

The toll taken is often measured in scale and impact, in mass destruction and collective suffering. But this big picture is made up of a mosaic of individual human stories.

Yahya is a young content creator who is making 99 video memories. Some are uplifting, others bittersweet. Abeer is a university lecturer who had to stop teaching; she could no longer bear to see her students suffering.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, Gazans share their experiences as Israel’s war enters its third year – they tell of lives, possessions and property lost, but also describe the enduring power of the human spirit.

US President Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war in Gaza and prepare for the day after has divided opinion.

After two years of failed ceasefire talks, it is the only prospect within reach now that could bring some respite to Palestinians enduring Israel’s relentless war. But it also leaves much to the imagination.

The 20-point list promises a “deradicalised, terror-free” strip without Hamas rule, restoration of aid through the UN and the Red Crescent, and the gradual withdrawal of troops. But other than the release of the hostages, there are no clear timelines for the rest of the plan. It is also unclear how Gaza would not be annexed, as the proposal states, while a security parameter remains in place indefinitely.

While the plan is not perfect, it has received support from Israel as well as western and Arab countries. It is also the closest point to a ceasefire since Israel broke the last one in March.

In this episode of Beyond the Headlines, host Nada AlTaher speaks to Palestinian Nakba survivor Antoine Raffoul, and to Amr Hamzawy, director of the Carnegie Middle East Programme. They discuss the fine print of Mr Trump’s plan and whether it’s time to end the bloodshed in Gaza, whatever the cost may be.

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