Gaza City – For many in Gaza, the recent threats from US President Donald Trump feel nothing more than justification for new violence and collective sanctions against them.
Late Wednesday, Trump had threatened the people of Gaza, saying that they would all be “dead” if the captives continued to be detained there.
While Gaza continues to tackle the devastating consequences of war – mass displacement, generalized destruction and disastrous humanitarian conditions – people are exhausted and skeptical of international efforts to resolve the war.
Tel Aviv Tribune spoke to the Palestinians north of Gaza to Trump threats.
‘There is nothing left to cry’
Yasser Al-Sharafa, 59, said he was unaware of these threats because, like many in Gaza, he has “nothing to lose”.
Now he heads a makeshift stand by selling candy and snacks to children.
Before, he said: “I was a well -known clothing merchant. I had a large shop, a six-story building, a car and stock warehouses in Tel Al-Hawa in Gaza City. All these relentless years of work have disappeared, destroyed during the war.
“Wherever you look, it is destruction, ruin and misery. Is there anything left to cry?
“Trump or anyone is making no difference.”
Moved to the south during the war, Al-Sharafa and his family returned to the north after the start of the ceasefire, only to find a devastated area where life is barely possible.
“Even if we put the captives back, nothing will change. The war could return at any time under a new pretext that they offer. We have lost confidence worldwide. »»
“Is Gaza the root of the problems of the world?”
Jamila Mahmoud, 62, did not hear Trump’s exact words, but some family members discussed it on Thursday morning.
“As you can see, we are completely cut off from everything. No internet, no electricity, no means of communication, ”she said.
Mahmoud thinks that Trump’s threats are part of a psychological warfare to force people to leave Gaza.
“Each time, there is a new scenario – sometimes he talks about forced displacement; Sometimes it is Israel that takes up Gaza; And today, these are threats to all Gaza residents on captives. »»
“Has Gaza suddenly become the root of all problems in the world?” She asked.
Mahmoud insists that whatever happens, she will never give up her right to live in Gaza, her homeland.
“I will stay on my earth, even if it is only the rubble of my house, whatever happens,” she said.
‘No one stands next to us’
Ayman Abu Dayyyeh, returning home with a few foods for his family, told Tel Aviv Tribune that he just wanted “Hamas to favor the public interest at the moment – to accept an agreement, to negotiate and to put the captives so that this endless nightmare can finally end.”
“This is the only reasonable option … Our position is low, and no one supports us,” added the 60 -year -old.
But he doubts that putting the captives will not end the war for Trump and Israel, although it could make a future war less devastating.
“I believe that the American people will reject these threats. They will not accept their country at the top of another genocidal war, “said Abu Dayyeh.
“We have lost 50,000 people. Two of my sons were killed in this war – in October and December 2023 – two young men at their peak. I also lost my house. We had enough loss and suffering, “he added.
“The Arab states are silent and Europeans are silent. How can we continue to fight without any supporter? We will be the only victims.
‘Leave us alone’
Wael Abu Ahmed, 75, from Sheikh Radwan in northern Gaza City, said he was surprised by Trump threats.
“What do we have in Gaza?” We attended horrors in this war – they didn’t do enough? “He asked, sitting on a sidewalk by the road.
“Trump’s statements have no weight or value. I think he only threatens Hamas pressure. The only thing they have left is to erase us entirely, “he added.
Ahmed, a retired bureaucrat and father of five, now lives with his children and grandchildren in a single apartment after their house was targeted several times during the War of Israel.
He had refused to evacuate south and stayed in the north of Gaza with his family to the ceasefire.
“I lived more years that I left. I stayed at home and said, “I will die here whatever happens.”
“Leave us alone. Let’s face the disaster that struck us – or we all kill and we put our misery. That’s all I have to say, “he concluded, moving away.
