Joy swept through Gaza on Wednesday after a ceasefire and hostage release agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, raising hopes of an end to over 15 months of war in the Palestinian territory.
The deal, first disclosed by a U.S. official and a source close to the negotiations, comes amid devastating losses on both sides.
However, Israel cautioned that unresolved points remain and need addressing before full implementation.
In Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, jubilant crowds chanted, embraced, and waved flags, with children and adults joining the celebrations.
People hugged, sang, and captured the moment on their phones. Ambulances making their way through the crowds were met with chants of “Allahu Akbar” as hope began to replace despair.
Randa Sameeh, a 45-year-old displaced from Gaza City, expressed relief and sorrow: “I can’t believe this nightmare is finally ending. We have lost so many people, we’ve lost everything. I will visit my family’s graves to honor them properly.”
For Abdul Karim, a 27-year-old separated from his family, the news brought a glimmer of happiness. “I can’t believe I will finally see my wife and two children again,” he said.
The deal promises to halt the ongoing conflict and facilitate the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
The war, which began with a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in massive casualties.
Israeli retaliatory strikes have killed 46,707 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to UN-verified figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
Hamas’s initial assault claimed 1,210 lives in Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken, with 94 still in captivity.
While celebrations erupted in Gaza, international mediators and leaders called for the deal’s swift implementation.
Specific timelines for the truce and prisoner exchanges are expected in the coming days.
For Gaza’s war-weary residents, the agreement signals a chance for rebuilding lives shattered by the conflict.
However, questions remain about ensuring long-term peace and addressing the underlying causes of the violence.