Celebratory Gunfire and Tears of Joy Mark Peace Deal in Gaza
On Thursday evening, the skies over Gaza lit up with celebratory gunfire as news of a peace deal spread, igniting tears of joy and disbelief among residents. In Israel, families anxiously awaited the release of hostages held since the onset of the conflict two years ago. “It’s an incredible day filled with joy,” exclaimed Ahmed Sheheiber, a displaced Palestinian, as he shared his emotions over the phone from a shelter in Gaza City.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” said Ayman Saber, a resident of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. In the coastal area of Al-Mawasi, crowds gathered, chanting “Allahu Akbar,” meaning "God is great," while firing celebratory rounds into the air.
What initially seemed like an unlikely 21-point peace plan proposed by former President Donald Trump gained traction on Thursday, as Israel and Hamas agreed to its “initial phase” following days of indirect negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh.
A Historic Moment for Families in Israel and Gaza
The announcement of the ceasefire could not have come at a better time for families in Israel, who have spent the past two years praying for the safe return of their loved ones taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023. On the streets of Tel Aviv, tearful families embraced, cheered, and even popped champagne in celebration. “Matan is coming home. These are the tears I’ve prayed for,” said a mother of an Israeli hostage, as reported by Haaretz.
Some attendees in the city’s hostage square expressed their gratitude to Trump for his role in facilitating the deal, suggesting he deserves a “Nobel Prize.” Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held captive by Hamas for over a year before her release in January, shared her joy on Instagram, celebrating the news with fellow former hostages.
As part of the agreement, Hamas announced it would release 20 remaining hostages by this weekend, with an exchange of Palestinian prisoners expected within 72 hours of the deal’s signing, anticipated to take place on Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the deal as a “great day for Israel,” stating, “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed solidarity with the families of the hostages, stating, “The entire nation is waiting and excited.”
Hope Amidst Uncertainty
As celebrations unfolded, the details of the agreement remained somewhat unclear, including whether discussions in Egypt had addressed key issues like Hamas’s demilitarization and future governance of the war-torn territory. This peace deal, if fully implemented, could be the closest the two sides have come to halting a conflict that has escalated into a regional crisis, involving nations such as Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.
Palestinian aid coordinator Eyad Amawi, displaced in central Gaza, shared his mixed feelings about the ceasefire agreement. “We believe and don’t believe. Our emotions are a blend of happiness and sadness,” he expressed. Amawi hopes the deal will enable people to return home and begin to rebuild their lives in Gaza, where many children are injured and the landscape is marred by rubble.
His greatest concern is the potential for Israeli interference in implementing the agreement. “We need to repair everything here, especially the psychological scars, to continue living our lives,” Amawi added.
As the world watches, the successful execution of this peace deal could pave the way for a brighter future in a region long plagued by conflict and suffering.
