People in Gaza have reacted with shock after US President Donald Trump appeared to welcome Hamas's response to his peace plan for the territory.
Hundreds of Palestinians flooded social media accounts and messaging apps with questions like: 'Has the war ended?' and 'Is this a dream or reality?'
The pace of developments overnight has left many struggling to grasp what comes next.
The movement's statement, believed to have been drafted with mediator assistance, offered a qualified 'yes' to several key aspects of Trump's plan.
While Hamas accepted Trump's terms regarding the release of Israeli hostages and the governance of Gaza, their response left many elements of the proposal unclear.
Trump further fueled the discourse by stating on social media that he believed Hamas was ready for peace and called for an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza.
Responses within the Palestinian community have varied from hope to deep skepticism. Some fear that Hamas may have walked into a trap, while others see this as a historical opportunity.
Advice from locals like Ibrahim Fares included caution, suggesting patience in these rapidly changing circumstances.
Observers noted that Hamas's direct response was an anomaly, lacking the nuanced conditional language usually accompanying such agreements.
However, doubts remain about Hamas's intentions, with critics claiming the decision may primarily focus on the organization's survival rather than genuine peace.
As discussions continue, Palestinians await to see if mere words can translate into lasting peace.
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