Palestinians in Gaza welcome the ceasefire as thousands begin preparing to return home after 15 months of war.
Celebrations erupted in the Gaza Strip after a much-anticipated ceasefire took effect after 15 months of war that reduced much of the Palestinian coastal enclave to rubble.
The ceasefire came into effect at 11:15 a.m. local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday after Hamas handed Israel, through mediators, a list of three female captives to be released as part of the deal.
“My joy is immeasurable,” said Gaza resident Om Salah.
“The moment they announced the ceasefire, I quickly packed all my things because I am ready to leave for Gaza City. My children are extremely happy to go and see our families, our relatives and our lands,” she told Al Jazeera.
“Here we are always afraid and worried, but when we return home we will be very happy and joy will return to our lives. »
A young Palestinian said: “Everyone is happy, especially the children. »
“Let’s hope the Israelis don’t rape him [ceasefire] in the coming days,” he told Al Jazeera.
He said all he wants now is to finish his studies. “Many dreams were destroyed during this genocide.”
Gaza health workers and rescue workers were also seen celebrating in the streets. Videos shared online and verified by Al Jazeera showed several civil defense teams chanting anthems and holding victory signs.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from outside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, said there were “no violations reported since the law came into effect.” ceasefire.”
“There are no more bombs, no more fighter planes and no more drones. The only sound of gunfire we hear is from celebrations in the streets – gunshots and fireworks have been common,” he said.
Before the ceasefire took effect, Israeli forces killed at least 19 more Palestinians and injured dozens more on Sunday, bringing the total death toll in the 15-month genocide to nearly 47,000. Palestinians and rights groups say the real death toll could be much higher.
At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and around 250 were captured.
‘We have to go back’
Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud reported that in the courtyard of the hospital where he was reporting from, Palestinian families began dismantling their tents and returning to their homes that they had been forced to evacuate due to the bombing. incessant Israelis.
“What we’re seeing here is families excitedly gathering their belongings – whatever they managed to gather during their hospital stay. There is so much enthusiasm on their faces as they leave the hospital gates,” he added.
Anwar, a displaced Palestinian living in Khan Younis who did not give his last name, said he hoped to return to Rafah despite reports that his home had been destroyed.
“I will go there and see to find a place where I can set up a tent to live with my family of eight,” he told Al Jazeera. “I have to go back to my city. I must return to where I was born.
Anwar said the months of war were like a “nightmare”. “It was literally a nightmare, like we [were] dreaming, then we got up,” Anwar said.
He said he and his family were living in flimsy tents, without enough food or water, and the prices of goods were “scary”.
