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 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.

Hamas accepted Trump's terms for the release of Israeli hostages and the idea of handing over the governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats—but stopped short of giving a clear answer to many other elements of his proposal. It was considered a calculated reply that placed the ball back in Israel's court.

Trump's immediate social media follow-up suggested he believed Hamas was ready for peace, urging Israel to halt its bombing of Gaza. Reactions among Palestinians varied widely—from hope to deep suspicion. Some fear Hamas has unwittingly entered a trap, while others sense a historic chance to cease two years of conflict.

Ibrahim Fares cautioned, I advise patience. Don't get carried away by optimism. The devil is always in the detail. Mahmoud Daher noted Hamas's response was unusual for its directness, stating, This time it was yes without the usual 'but.' However, opinions are divided, with some activists, like Khalil Abu Shammala, suggesting the response was primarily about Hamas's survival.

As Gazans navigate this precarious situation, the uncertainty remains palpable—will these words translate into genuine peace?