Gaza Bids Farewell to Fire with Cheers and Tears, Awaiting the Implementation of the Agreement
From beneath the rubble and pain, the news of a ceasefire brought a pulse of mixed joy and disbelief to Gaza, awakening a long-deferred sense of hope.
As Gaza struggles to recover from a devastating war that has exhausted it on every level, the announcement of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement has offered its people a brief moment of relief.
Last night, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the “first phase” of his plan to end the fighting and release several hostages and prisoners in Gaza, following three days of indirect negotiations held at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump thanked the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, saying: “This means that all hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw its forces to an agreed line as the first steps toward a strong and lasting peace.”
Hamas confirmed that it had reached the agreement, stating that it includes an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a prisoner exchange.
The group said in a statement that the deal was reached after “responsible and serious negotiations” over Trump’s proposal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked the United States “for its commitment to this sacred mission of bringing our hostages home,” adding, “With God’s help, we will bring them all back,” and announced that a cabinet meeting would be held on Thursday to approve the agreement.
In recent days, negotiators met in Egypt to bridge the gap between Hamas and Israel regarding the details of the “first phase” of Trump’s twenty-point plan unveiled at the White House last week.
Reactions in Gaza
The first reactions on Gaza’s streets — tears, cheers, and spontaneous celebrations — reflected both relief and disbelief at what many see as the possible end of a two-year nightmare.
In Gaza’s shattered neighborhoods, people poured into the streets despite their wounds and losses, as signs of joy began to spread through the devastated areas.
In refugee camps and shelters, ululations echoed, celebratory gunfire was heard, and chants of victory filled the air in places like Khan Younis, Al-Mawasi in the south, and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
“A Great Day”
Ahmed Shuhaiber, a young man from Gaza City now living in a temporary shelter, could not hold back his tears when he heard the news, according to The Guardian.
“I’m crying because I can’t believe this could be the beginning of the end. We’re exhausted… every day we lost someone,” he said by phone, adding, “It’s a great day, an overwhelming joy.”
“I can’t believe it,” said Ayman Saber, a resident of Khan Younis, as people gathered on the Al-Mawasi coast chanting “Allahu Akbar” and firing celebratory gunshots into the air.
Mixed Emotions
Behind the celebrations lies widespread apprehension about another potential disappointment.
“We’ve grown used to promises… We just hope this agreement will be different,” said Iyad Amawi, a relief coordinator still processing the announcement of the ceasefire.
He added, “The people of Gaza need more than a halt to the fighting — they need dignity, shelter, psychological healing, and hope.”
“We believe, yet we doubt. Our emotions are conflicted — joy and sorrow, memories and uncertainty all mixed together,” he said, expressing hope that the agreement would be fully implemented so that people could “return home and rebuild the will to live” in a Gaza filled with wounded children and endless rubble.
Amawi also voiced fears that Israel might create obstacles to the deal’s implementation: “We need to rebuild everything here — especially psychologically — if we are to continue living.”
In Israel
In Tel Aviv, families embraced, cried, and sang as soon as they heard the news.
“Matan is coming home. These are the tears I have been waiting for,” said the mother of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza, according to Haaretz.
Some of those gathered in Hostage Square called for recognition of Trump’s mediation role, even suggesting that he be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli woman held by Hamas for over a year before her release last January, shared a video on Instagram celebrating the news with friends, including her former fellow captive, Roni Gonen.
As part of the agreement, Hamas announced that it will release the twenty remaining living hostages later this week.
Sources indicated that the exchange of Palestinian prisoners will take place within 72 hours of the agreement’s signing.
Hamas had taken 251 people hostage in Gaza in 2023. Forty-seven remain, including twenty-five whom the Israeli army says are dead.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X: “The entire nation is waiting anxiously. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the hostages as they prepare for the long-awaited return of their loved ones.”
Netanyahu confirmed that a government meeting would be held Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire, while Hamas urged Trump and the guarantor states to ensure Israel’s full compliance.
The war began on October 7, 2023, after a surprise Hamas attack on Israeli towns that killed about 1,200 people.
In Gaza, the war has left more than 67,000 people dead — many of them children — triggered severe famine, and caused catastrophic destruction across the territory.
