On Thursday, the news of a peace deal brought rounds of celebratory gunfire into the night sky and tears of joy and disbelief to people in devastated Gaza and in Israel, where families have anxiously awaited the release of hostages taken since the war began two years ago.
“It’s a huge day, huge joy,” cried Ahmed Sheheiber, a displaced Palestinian, speaking by phone from his shelter in Gaza City.
“I can’t believe the news,” said Ayman Saber, a resident of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. In the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, crowds gathered to chant “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) and fire celebratory shots into the air.
What had once seemed an unlikely 21-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump was agreed to in its “initial phase” by Israel and Hamas on Thursday, following days of indirect talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
For Israeli families who have lobbied and prayed for two years for the return of relatives taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the news was long overdue.
In Tel Aviv, tearful families hugged, cheered, and popped champagne. “Matan is coming home. These are the tears I prayed for,” said one mother of an Israeli hostage, as reported by Haaretz.
Some in the city’s hostage square credited Trump with brokering the deal and called for a “Nobel prize to Trump” as they celebrated in the early morning hours.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli held captive by Hamas for over a year before her release in January, posted a video on Instagram celebrating with friends, including fellow former hostage Romi Gonen. The group hugged, danced, and toasted “L’chaim” (to life).
As part of the agreement, Hamas will release the 20 remaining living hostages as early as this weekend. Sources say an exchange with Palestinian prisoners will occur within 72 hours of the deal’s signing, expected on Thursday.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, reacted emotionally to the announcement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “great day for Israel,” saying, “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.”
Hamas took 251 hostages into Gaza in 2023; 47 remain, including 25 whom the Israeli military says are dead.
“The entire nation is waiting and excited,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X. “I extend a big hug to the families of the hostages for the expected return home of their loved ones.”
Netanyahu said he would convene the government on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, while Hamas urged Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements it.
The war began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people, many of them civilians. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has been devastating, killing more than 67,000, including many children, while aid blockades have led to starvation and severe hunger. The conflict has destroyed Palestinian territory and caused a major humanitarian crisis.
Eyad Amawi, a Palestinian aid coordinator displaced in central Gaza, said he was still processing the ceasefire news.
“We believe and don’t believe. We have mixed feelings, between happiness and sadness, memories—everything is mixed,” he said.
Amawi hopes the deal is carried out as agreed so people can return home and begin to “renew the hope for life” in Gaza, where many children are injured and rubble is everywhere.His greatest fear, he said, was that Israel would create hurdles to carrying out the agreement. “We must resolve all issues here, particularly the psychological impact, so we can move forward with our lives.”
While initial celebrations began, the specifics of the deal were still uncertain on Thursday. It was unclear whether the parties meeting in Egypt had made any headway on more contentious issues about the conflict’s future, such as whether Hamas will disarm, as Trump has insisted, and how the devastated region will be governed going forward.
If put into effect, this agreement would bring the two sides nearer than any previous attempt to ending a war that has expanded into a regional confrontation, involving nations like Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon, and transforming the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the GazaIsrael ceasefire announcement designed to be clear concise and cover a range of perspectives
General BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is a ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of fighting between warring groups Its like a pause button on a conflict intended to allow for humanitarian aid recovery and further negotiations
2 Who agreed to this ceasefire
The agreement is typically between the Israeli government and Hamas the group governing the Gaza Strip It is often mediated by other countries like Egypt Qatar or the United States
3 Why was there celebratory gunfire in Gaza
For people in Gaza a ceasefire often signifies a respite from bombing a chance to recover and a perceived symbol of resistance and survival The gunfire is an expression of joy and relief though it is dangerous and can cause casualties
4 Is the ceasefire permanent
Most ceasefires in this conflict are not permanent They are often timelimited or openended but fragile The goal is to build upon the temporary pause to reach a longerterm truce or agreement
5 What are the main terms of this agreement
While terms vary common ones include a halt to all military operations the release of a certain number of prisoners or hostages by both sides and an easing of the blockade on Gaza to allow in more humanitarian supplies and reconstruction materials
Advanced Detailed Questions
6 What are the biggest challenges to making a ceasefire last
The main challenges are a deepseated lack of trust differing interpretations of the terms and actions by smaller militant groups not fully under control A single rocket or arrest can cause the entire agreement to collapse
7 What is the difference between a ceasefire a truce and a peace treaty
Ceasefire A shortterm temporary halt to fighting
Truce A longerterm suspension of hostilities but it doesnt resolve the underlying conflict
Peace Treaty A formal permanent agreement that ends a war and resolves the core issues like borders and sovereignty
8 How does a ceasefire impact civilians on both sides
