Displaced people at a refugee camp in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, shared their hardships of displacement with their families and expressed their longing for a peaceful life on the last day of 2024.
As people across the world immerse themselves in the festivities of ushering in the new year, in Al-Sadaqa camp, west of Deir al-Balah, displaced families face a completely different atmosphere, grappling with a difficult life within their makeshift tents.
Najla Abu Al-Aoun, a 36-year-old woman living in the camp with her family, yearns for peace instead of war.
"We wake up and sleep wondering when the war will end, when this suffering we are enduring will come to an end. As a 36-year-old woman, what I've experienced over the past year and four months of war has aged me to 60 years. I've had to fetch drinking water, stand in line to secure food for my children. These tasks are meant for men, but unfortunately, many women have been displaced without their husbands. I am currently displaced with my family. So of course, I'm not happy, I and others -- even the children -- pray for peace during this time," she said.
Sharif Al-Sharif shared his painful experience after being displaced for the tenth time.
"I have been displaced for the tenth time now. No one pays attention to our suffering. We have no food, no products to cook, no flour, no water. We are managing on our own. We are openly asking for peace, for the whole world and the Arab and Islamic nations to know we want peace. Enough of this situation, we can't bear it anymore," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Sisi, another displaced man in the camp, expressed his hopes for the day when peace will finally arrive.
"We hope to see the day when peace comes. We want to experience the peace that other people around the world enjoy. It's a dream to see peace," he said.
Displaced people in Gaza yearn for peace on last day of 2024
Displaced people in Gaza yearn for peace on last day of 2024
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said that China has the credibility and goodwill to help broker a lasting peace in the Middle East, and expects it to play a bigger role in the region's peace process.
Araghchi visited China from Dec 27 to 28, 2024, and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Dec 28, Araghchi shared his thoughts on China's emerging role as a mediator in the Middle East, including its efforts to broker a reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
On March 10, 2023, in a joint statement released with China in Beijing, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement to reopen their embassies and diplomatic missions within two months, marking a milestone in the thawing of their relations.
"It has been more than a year (since the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran). The biggest achievement may be that Iran and Saudi Arabia have started a good process of restoring relations, and both sides are satisfied with the restoration of relations. The restoration of relations has brought benefits to both sides, and this (trend) is still continuing. The two sides have established a good relationship, and (related efforts) are still continuing. Of course, there is still a lot of untapped potential in Iran-Saudi relations, and the restoration of relations between the two countries is a gradual, slow but continuous process. We thank China for its efforts in this regard, and we know that China's help is full of goodwill and the effect is very good," said Araghchi. Araghchi also shared his expectations for China's role in the Middle East peace process in the future.
"We trust China, and we see China's goodwill. China maintains extensive economic and trade relations with all countries in the region, and maintains good and constructive relations with all countries. China is a respected and trustworthy country. I believe that such credibility can allow China to play a political role in the Middle East to help regional countries resolve differences and help them find a peaceful solution. Iran thanks China for its contribution and is willing to continue to cooperate with China," he said.
Iranian FM expects China to play bigger role in Middle East peace process
