Gaza's South Falls Silent: Palestinians Rediscover Peaceful Sounds After Truce Deal

Palestinians in Gaza's South Relearn Sound of Peace after Truce Deal For the first time in years, Palestinian mother Wiam al-Masri can clearly hear her infant son Samih's cries. The quiet air of al-Mawasi, in southern Khan Younis, is a welcome change from the constant shelling and warplane buzz that dominated the skies since 2023. Timeline: Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. The agreement has largely halted Israeli air and artillery strikes in Gaza. At least 29 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, particularly in Gaza City, on Thursday. Immediate Impact: The truce deal has brought an unfamiliar calm to Gaza's south. Residents are slowly emerging from their homes, taking advantage of the quiet to tend to their daily needs. For Wiam al-Masri and her infant son Samih, this new silence is a blessing. Background Context: Two years of war have left over 67,190 people dead in Gaza. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the community, with families like Wiam's struggling to cope with the loss of loved ones. The UN described the assault as genocide. What Happens Next: As the truce holds, residents are cautiously optimistic about the future. Ahmed al-Hissi, who lost his three grandchildren in Israeli strikes, is among those hoping for a lasting peace. "We've been through so much," he said. "It's time to rebuild and move forward." The next phase of the peace plan will focus on economic development and infrastructure projects in Gaza. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Aljazeera reporting.*