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Palestinians in southern Gaza erupted into applause, cheers, and dance in the early morning hours Thursday after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement to bring an end to the two-year-long conflict in the region. A group of around a dozen young men chanted joyful slogans of “Allahu akbar” outside Khan Yunis’s Nasser Hospital, with one individual hoisting another onto his shoulders. An individual wearing a press vest, clearly a journalist, was also seen carried above the crowd, speaking into a microphone.
Abdelmajid Abedrabbo, a resident of southern Gaza, expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank God for this ceasefire. Thankful for the end of bloodshed and killing.” He added, “I’m not alone in feeling happy; the entire Gaza Strip is celebrating. All of the Arab world is rejoicing over this ceasefire.”
“Thanks and love to everyone who stood with us and contributed to ending this violence. Sending you love from Gaza,” he concluded.
The deal, which is set to be signed later Thursday, aims to facilitate the release of the remaining hostages and is a significant step toward ending a conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and caused a severe humanitarian crisis. The agreement also involves the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza after more than two years of devastating war initiated in October 2023 with an attack on Israel.
Ayman al-Najjar, speaking from Khan Yunis, shared a sentiment of cautious happiness: “Despite all the wounds and loss of loved ones, today we are happy because of the ceasefire.” He recounted personal losses, including the death of his grandfather last week, but noted that, nonetheless, “We are happy today.”
Among the celebrations were children, who cheered at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, following the announcement of the ceasefire.
The war, which started on October 7, 2023, has resulted in 1,219 deaths, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Gaza’s health ministry reports that Israel’s military operations have caused at least 67,183 fatalities in the territory, figures considered credible by the United Nations. Militants also took 251 people hostage into Gaza, with 47 still held—including 25 believed to be dead, as per Israeli military reports.
The ceasefire follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza recently announced by then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Wael Radwan expressed relief, saying, “Thank God, President Trump declared the war is over; we are extremely happy. We thank our brothers and everyone who contributed, even just with words, to stopping this war and bloodshed.”
Khaled Al-Namnam, 26, who is displaced in Al-Maghzai, central Gaza Strip, admitted he didn’t expect to hear such good news. “I woke up this morning to incredible news… everyone talking about ending the war, aid arriving, and crossings opening. I felt immense happiness,” he told AFP. “It’s a strange, indescribable feeling—after two years of bombing, fear, terror, and hunger. It’s like we’re being born again.”
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