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Celebrations in Gaza as Ceasefire Takes Effect

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  • Long-awaited truce takes effect at 11:15 a.m. after 15 months of conflict.
  • Residents rejoice as the war-torn enclave sees a pause in hostilities.
  • Hamas submits names of three Israeli women captives as part of the deal.

Celebrations erupted across the Gaza Strip as a long-awaited ceasefire took effect, ending 15 months of devastating conflict that left much of the coastal Palestinian enclave in ruins.

The truce began at 11:15 a.m. local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday, following Hamas’s submission of a list of three Israeli female captives to mediators as part of the agreement with Israel.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

“My joy is beyond measure,” said Gaza resident Om Salah.

“From the moment they announced the ceasefire, I quickly packed all my things because I am ready to go to Gaza City. My children are extremely happy to go and see our families, relatives and our lands,” she told Al Jazeera.

“Here, we are always scared and worried, but back home we will be very happy, and joy will come back to our lives .”

A young Palestinian man said, “Everyone is happy, particularly the children.”

“Hopefully, the Israelis will not violate it [ceasefire] in the next few days,” he said.

He said all he wanted to do now was complete his education. “There have been loads of dreams destroyed during this genocide.”

Health workers and rescue teams in Gaza joined the celebrations, with videos shared online showing civil defence crews chanting and flashing victory signs in the streets.

Reporting from outside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud confirmed, “There have been no violations reported since the ceasefire took effect.”

“The bombs, fighter jets, and drones have stopped. The only sounds of gunfire now come from celebratory gunshots and fireworks in the streets,” he added.

However, before the truce was implemented, Israeli forces killed at least 19 more Palestinians and injured dozens on Sunday, bringing the 15-month death toll in Gaza to nearly 47,000. Palestinian and rights groups believe the true figures may be significantly higher.

FURTHER READING

In Israel, at least 1,139 people were killed, and approximately 250 taken captive during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis, highlighted the devastation in Rafah, where residents described the destruction as “massive.”

“Many couldn’t even recognize their neighbourhoods,” Khoudary said. “Yet, there’s an overwhelming sense of relief. People are smiling, chanting, and repeatedly saying: ‘We survived this war.’”

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