The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will give the people of Gaza the chance to rebuild their hopes and dream, as well as their city, an asylum seeker from Palestine has said.
She was one of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in Londonderry at the weekend to mark the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
Demonstrations were also held in Belfast, Dublin and other towns and cities throughout Ireland.
Among those marching in Derry were Gaza natives who have been living in Northern Ireland during the conflict.
The asylum seekers expressed their hope that the ceasefire will hold.
The Derry march began at the Waterside train station, and ended at the Guildhall Square.
The demonstration saw thousands in attendance. This included other groups such as Jews for Palestine, the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Gaza natives, who expressed relief that a ceasefire agreement had been reached.
One woman, who had been living in Buncrana since 2023, was Majida Al Askri. Having lost 32 of her relatives during the 15 months of conflict, she hopes that an enduring ceasefire will allow Palestinians to rebuild Gaza.
“This (ceasefire) will mean peace for us, the people will have time to breathe after this tragic time, this time of losing, of killing,” said Majida.
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“They need some space to release from this sadness and losing and hunger. They have a right to live as human beings in their land and they have a right to live in their homes, to build Gaza from the beginning again.
“They deserve to have hopes and dreams; this is our dream now to have peace and quiet in Gaza.”
Also from Gaza is Mohyeddin Obaid, who has been living in Derry for two and a half years. Like Ms Al Askri, he also lost many members of his family, including his father.
“I so happy to see a ceasefire now,” he said.
The Chair of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) group, Catherine Hutton, told the Belfast Telegraph that the peace will offer the people of Gaza some respite.
“Since the ceasefire was announced last Wednesday, there have been hundreds of people murdered by Israel,” Ms Hutton said.
“The ceasefire has been broke up into three stages; this first stage will last six weeks, but we all know that Israel is not really committed to it.
“Israel has been dragged kicking and screaming into this deal by the incoming president of the US, Donald Trump.
“For Gaza it is a respite, a relief for them to actually have space now to get the humanitarian aid in that they so desperately need.
“It is a space to hopefully make this a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages on both sides,” she added.