Palestinians celebrate near Deir al-Balaah's Shuhada al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
Before dawn, crowds gathered near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, clapping and cheering. Khaled Shaat, a resident, described the moment as “historic” after two years of relentless violence, according to Reuters.
“These are moments that are considered historic, long awaited by Palestinian citizens after two years of killing and genocide,” Shaat said.
A young girl told CNN she felt relieved by the ceasefire, saying it meant she could finally return home after living through two years of war.
“We’ve spent two years, and now we’re starting the third, living in a war. We’re very tired of this life,” she said.
Palestinian children celebrate at a camp for displaced people in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal. AFP
The agreement, announced by US President Donald Trump, includes the release of 20 living captives and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
This marks the first phase of a 20-point peace plan aimed at ending Israel’s war on Gaza and securing the withdrawal of Israeli troops, though further negotiations are still needed.
Despite the hardships endured, many Gazans expressed cautious optimism. Daniel Abu Tabeekh, from the Jabalia refugee camp, told the BBC, “This agreement gives us a chance to rebuild our lives.”
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