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Gazans rejoice at cease-fire between Israel and Hamas By Reuters


Written by Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) – Thousands of Palestinians poured into the streets across Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, some celebrating, others visiting the graves of relatives. , while many ran to their homes.

“I feel like I finally found drinking water after being lost in the desert for 15 months. I feel alive again,” Aya, a displaced woman from Gaza City, who has been defending Deir Al-Balah in the middle of Gaza Strip. over a year, he told Reuters about the chat app.

Armed Hamas fighters marched through the southern town of Khan Younis, with crowds cheering and chanting, despite a nearly three-hour delay in the implementation of the deal, which follows 15 months of negative conflicts.

Hamas police, wearing blue police uniforms, were moved to other areas after months of trying to stay invisible to avoid Israeli airstrikes.

People gathered to cheer the fighters sang “Hail to the Al-Qassam Brigades.”

“All the opposition groups are still there despite (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu,” one fighter told Reuters, referring to the armed wing of Hamas.

“This is the end of war, complete and total that God is determined to do, and there will be no going back to war despite that.”

The cease-fire agreement came into effect after a delay of nearly three hours, halting a conflict that has brought a tumultuous political transition in the Middle East and giving hope to Gaza’s 2.3 million people, many of whom those who have left their homes many times.

The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said that Israeli military strikes killed at least 13 people in attacks across the enclave during the delay. No further attacks were reported after it took effect at 11.15 am (0915 GMT).

“Now we are waiting for the day when we go back home to Gaza City,” said Aya. “Spoilt or not, it doesn’t matter, the nightmare of death and starvation is over.”

Ahmed Abu Ayham, 40, who moved with his family from Gaza City and settled in Khan Younis, said the scene of destruction in his town was “horrifying”, adding that although the ceasefire I saved a life, it was not a time for celebrations.

“We are in pain, deep pain and it is time for us to hug and cry,” Abu Ayham said on the same device.

The much-anticipated ceasefire deal could help end the conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas, which controls the small enclave, attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

© Reuters. Members of the Palestinian emergency services celebrate in Gaza City, January 19, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

Israel’s response reduced most of Gaza to destruction and killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza-based health officials.

“The war is over, but life will not improve because of the damage and losses we have suffered,” said Aya. “But at least there will be no more bloodshed of women and children, I hope.”

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi, Additional reporting by Mohammad Salem in Gaza; editing by Philippa Fletcher)





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