Thousands across Gaza celebrate ceasefire announcement

Following the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of captives, aimed at ending the conflict in the Palestinian territories that has lasted over 15 months, Palestinians were jubilant, chanting slogans and embracing each other in celebration of the news.

Qatar, acting as mediator, announced the agreement on Wednesday, though Israel cautiously stated that there were still several "unresolved" issues, hoping to finalize them in the near future. Nevertheless, celebrations have already erupted in the Gaza Strip, with people embracing and taking photos to commemorate this significant moment.

Randa Sameeh, a 45-year-old displaced person who was moved from Gaza City to the Nuseirat camp in the center of the territory, said, "I can't believe that this nightmare that has lasted for more than a year is finally coming to an end. We have lost so many people, we have lost everything." She added, "We need to rest. Once the ceasefire starts, I will go to the cemetery to visit my brother and family. We buried them in the Deir al-Balah cemetery without proper graves. We will build new graves for them and inscribe their names."

Outside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, which had treated many war casualties, hundreds of Palestinians gathered, chanting slogans, singing, and waving flags. Amid the crowd, a man and a journalist wearing a flak jacket were lifted onto shoulders to conduct interviews among the cheering Palestinians. As an ambulance squeezed through the crowd to reach the hospital, smiling men and women chanted "Allahu Akbar" in Arabic and waved Palestinian flags. Some young children, looking confused by the commotion, also gathered outside the hospital, weaving between adults to watch them give media interviews.

In the center of the crowd, a group of boys led popular pro-resistance chants, while adults recorded the moment on their phones. In Gaza City, 27-year-old Abdul Karim said, "Even though we have lost everything, I still feel happy." He added, "I can't believe I will finally be able to see my wife and two children again. They went south about a year ago. I hope they will allow displaced people to return as soon as possible." In Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, large crowds also gathered, with young people crowd-surfing on shoulders while drumming and cheering.

The agreement announced on Wednesday is expected to halt fighting in the battered Palestinian territory and facilitate the release of captives in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Since October 7, 2023, Israel's war in Gaza has resulted in at least 46,707 Palestinian deaths and 110,265 injuries. In the Hamas-led attacks, at least 1,139 people were killed in Israel, and over 200 were taken captive.