Today in Focus Extra: ‘Thank God we witnessed this’: Palestinians on the Ceasefire Deal

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Annie Kelly (The Guardian)
Guests: Ansam Tantesh (English literature graduate, Gaza), Mai Alawada (Communications Officer, Medical Aid for Palestinians)

Episode Overview

This Today in Focus Extra episode provides a deeply personal perspective on the day the long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced. Host Annie Kelly connects with Palestinians in Gaza to hear raw reactions, hopes, and ongoing anxieties as news of potential peace finally reaches citizens who have endured two years of devastating conflict. The episode focuses on emotions, lived experiences, and humanitarian concerns, giving listeners an immediate sense of what the ceasefire means on the ground.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Moment the Ceasefire Was Announced

• Mixed Emotions: Relief & Sadness
  • Ansam Tantesh describes her initial feelings as a mixture of "deep sadness and a bit of joy" upon hearing about the ceasefire (03:51).
  • Quote:

    "Thank God, Thank God we are still alive and still here, that we witnessed this moment." – Ansam Tantesh (03:59)

• Enduring Uncertainty
  • Both guests note how previous ceasefires have failed. Ansam shares cautious hope while recognizing lingering mistrust (04:23).
  • She reflects optimistically that,

    "I believe this could be the end of a dark time... the beginning of something new and something better for Gaza and Gazans and for all people around in the world." (04:56)

2. Changes Felt on the Ground

• Continued Danger
  • Despite the ceasefire announcement, Ansam reports ongoing drone and plane activity, expressing that the atmosphere is far from peaceful (05:25).
  • Quote:

    "I'm still hearing the sounds of drones and the sounds of planes. It doesn't stop yet." – Ansam Tantesh (05:25)

• Desire to Return Home
  • Ansam and many displaced Palestinians are eager to go back to Gaza City, highlighting the emotional pull of home after long displacement (05:44).

3. Humanitarian Realities and Hopes

• Aid Needs and Displacement
  • Mai Alawada describes the situation from southern Gaza, mentioning "dozens of tents" that have "doubled and tripled" in the last month (06:48).
  • She urgently hopes for safe return and adequate shelter for displaced residents (07:10).
  • Quote:

    "The ceasefire doesn't end Gaza's health and humanitarian catastrophe... any delay in much needed aid being delivered and, you know, at scale and will cost more lives." – Mai Alawada (07:54)

• Cautious Optimism among Aid Workers and Ordinary People
  • Mai explains a widespread sense of caution and emotional overwhelm:

    "Until this very moment I am in denial... I hope that this time we would be able to promise them that we will scale up our support." (07:50)

  • She calls for tangible action, not just words, highlighting skepticism born of prior failed ceasefires (08:38).

4. Trauma and Loss in Daily Life

• Two Years of Hardship
  • Ansam recounts her family's experiences with fear, hunger, repeated displacement, and perpetual uncertainty:

    "Words are not enough to describe all of what I have been through... endless nights not knowing if we would survive or going to die." (09:25)

  • The trauma of losing her home and possessions is described with a lasting, personal pain (09:35).

5. The Peace Plan: Skepticism and Fragile Hope

• Unclear Details; Fragile Trust
  • There is hope that the planned release of hostages and prisoners, as well as troop withdrawal, moves forward.

    "If they didn't stuck to the plan, I guess we are going to die... Nothing is left in Gaza. They destroyed our dreams, they destroyed our house, homes." – Ansam Tantesh (10:27)

  • Still, hope remains a powerful motivator:

    "As long as we have hope, I guess we have the strength to keep forward." (11:20)

6. Looking Forward: Dreams and Education

• Personal Aspirations Amidst Uncertainty
  • At 23, Ansam reveals her ambitions to become a teacher and contribute to Gaza's recovery through education (11:42).
  • Quote:

    "To teach kids English and to show how powerful our message to the world. And that's exactly what kids need in Gaza currently. Education, education, education." – Ansam Tantesh (11:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Thank God, Thank God we are still alive and still here, that we witnessed this moment."
  – Ansam Tantesh, on emotional relief at the ceasefire (03:59)

• "I'm still hearing the sounds of drones and the sounds of planes. It doesn't stop yet."
  – Ansam Tantesh, on continued anxiety and uncertainty despite the deal (05:25)

• "The ceasefire doesn't end Gaza's health and humanitarian catastrophe... any delay in much needed aid being delivered... will cost more lives."
  – Mai Alawada, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis (07:54)

• "We Palestinians, we are fed up with words, without actions. So without true action... all of this would be meaningless."
  – Mai Alawada (08:38)

• "Words are not enough to describe all of what I have been through... endless nights not knowing if we would survive or going to die."
  – Ansam Tantesh, sharing trauma of war and displacement (09:25)

• "As long as we have hope, I guess we have the strength to keep forward."
  – Ansam Tantesh on resilience (11:20)

• "To teach kids English... that's exactly what kids need in Gaza currently. Education, education, education."
  – Ansam Tantesh on personal purpose and the importance of education post-conflict (11:47)

Important Timestamps

• 01:32 – Background on the ceasefire deal and the situation in Gaza
• 03:51 – Ansam Tantesh’s immediate reaction to the news
• 05:25 – Continued sounds of conflict, longing to return home
• 06:06 – Mai Alawada’s emotional response as an aid worker
• 06:48 – Description of displacement, needs in Gaza
• 07:54 – Urgent call for humanitarian aid and real change
• 09:25 – Ansam recalls two years of war and personal loss
• 10:27 – Skepticism and hope for the ceasefire holding
• 11:42 – Ansam’s reflections on future and educational aspirations

Summary

The episode gives listeners front-line perspectives on a pivotal moment in Gaza, balancing jubilation and relief with trauma, caution, and skepticism. The guests remind us that, while a ceasefire is a hopeful milestone, the realities of devastation and distrust persist requiring ongoing international commitment, humanitarian support, and local resilience. Stories of personal loss are intertwined with powerful hope for peace and dreams of rebuilding lives and futures in a battered homeland.