Gaza Metropolis – For a lot of in Gaza, US President Donald Trump’s current threats really feel like nothing greater than a justification for additional violence and collective punishment in opposition to them.
Late on Wednesday, Trump had threatened the individuals of Gaza, saying they might all be “lifeless” if captives continued to be held there.
As Gaza continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of conflict – mass displacement, widespread destruction, and dire humanitarian situations – individuals are exhausted and sceptical about worldwide efforts to resolve the conflict.
Al Jazeera spoke to Palestinians in northern Gaza about Trump’s threats.
‘Nothing left to grieve’
Yasser Al-Sharafa, 59, mentioned he ignores these threats as a result of, like many in Gaza, he has “nothing left to lose”.
Now, he runs a makeshift stand promoting sweet and snacks to kids.
Earlier than, he mentioned: “I was a widely known clothes service provider. I had a big store, a six-storey constructing, a automotive, and inventory warehouses in Tel al-Hawa in Gaza Metropolis. All these years of onerous work vanished, destroyed within the conflict.
“In every single place you look is destruction, damage, and distress. Is there something left for us to grieve?
“Trump or whoever, it makes no distinction.”
Displaced southwards in the course of the conflict, al-Sharafa and his household returned to the north after the ceasefire started, solely to discover a devastated space the place life is barely potential.
“Even when we hand over the captives, nothing will change. The conflict would possibly return at any second underneath a brand new pretext they give you. We’ve misplaced belief in all the world.”
‘Is Gaza the foundation of the world’s issues?’
![Jamila Mahmoud, 62, rejects to Trump’s threats, considering them phycological warfare [Abdelhakim Abu Riash, Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/05fbf92ec6f2ebabd8ea20abd10a6204-1741354247.jpeg?w=770&resize=770%2C513)
Jamila Mahmoud, 62, didn’t hear Trump’s precise phrases, however a few of her relations mentioned it on Thursday morning.
“As you see, we’re fully reduce off from every thing. No web, no electrical energy, no technique of communication,” she mentioned.
Mahmoud believes Trump’s threats are a part of a psychological conflict geared toward forcing individuals out of Gaza.
“Each time, there’s a brand new situation – typically, it’s discuss of pressured displacement; typically, it’s Israel taking up Gaza; and right now, it’s threats to all of Gaza’s residents over the captives.”
“Has Gaza instantly develop into the foundation of all of the world’s issues?” she requested.
Mahmoud insists that it doesn’t matter what occurs, she’s going to by no means quit her proper to stay in Gaza, her homeland.
“I’ll stay on my land, even when it’s simply the rubble of my dwelling, it doesn’t matter what,” she affirmed.
‘Nobody’s standing by us’
![Ayman Abu Dayyeh, 60, wants Hamas to hand over the captives and end the war [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/8e00cc193a0e346e979181c088994772-1741354256.jpeg?w=770&resize=770%2C513)
Ayman Abu Dayyeh, strolling dwelling with a couple of meals gadgets for his household, informed Al Jazeera he simply needs “Hamas to prioritise the general public curiosity proper now – to simply accept a deal, negotiate, and hand over the captives so this limitless nightmare can lastly finish.”
“That is the one affordable choice … our place is weak, and nobody’s standing by us,” the 60-year-old added.
However he does doubt that handing over the captives is not going to finish the conflict for Trump and Israel, though it could make a future conflict much less devastating.
“I imagine the American individuals will reject these threats. They received’t settle for their nation main one other genocidal conflict,” Abu Dayyeh mentioned.
“We’ve misplaced 50,000 individuals. Two of my sons have been killed on this conflict – in October and December 2023 – two younger males of their prime. I misplaced my dwelling, too. We’ve had sufficient loss and struggling,” he added.
“The Arab states are silent, and the Europeans are silent. How can we proceed combating with none supporters? We’ll be the one victims.”
‘Depart us alone’
Wael Abu Ahmed, 75, from Sheikh Radwan in northern Gaza Metropolis, mentioned he was stunned by Trump’s threats.
“What do now we have left in Gaza? We’ve witnessed horrors on this conflict – haven’t they performed sufficient?” he requested, sitting on a roadside curb.
“Trump’s statements carry no weight or worth. I believe he’s simply making threats to strain Hamas. The one factor left for them to do is wipe us out fully,” he added.
Ahmed, a retired bureaucrat and father of 5, now lives together with his kids and grandchildren in a single condo after their home was repeatedly focused throughout Israel’s conflict.
He had refused to evacuate to the south and remained in northern Gaza together with his household till the ceasefire.
“I’ve lived extra years than I’ve left. I stayed in my dwelling and mentioned: ‘I’ll die right here it doesn’t matter what.’
“Depart us alone. Allow us to face the catastrophe that has befallen us – or kill us all and put us out of our distress. That’s all I’ve left to say,” he concluded, strolling away.
