“Here on the ground in Gaza, the reaction to [US President] Donald Trump’s announcement of a proposed ceasefire has been met with a mix of guarded hope and deep scepticism,” Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reports from Deir el-Balah, Gaza.

“After nearly 21 months of widespread destruction, mass displacement and bombardment, Palestinians here are desperate for any pause in the attacks.

“But this hope has been dampened by their previous bitter experience. Previously, ceasefire talks have repeatedly collapsed, and many Palestinians say they’ve heard this rhetoric before from Trump,” he said.

“At the moment, though, they believe there’s serious will from Trump to pressure both Hamas and Israel to reach a ceasefire deal.

“Until now, Israel has not publicly confirmed the agreement, and the fact that Hamas remains silent only deepens the uncertainty,” Azzoum reported.

“The overwhelming sentiment among Palestinians is that they are looking for a full and comprehensive de-escalation in hostilities, and to see a mitigation in their appalling humanitarian conditions. And that cannot take place without a sustained ceasefire.”