• Gaza Celebrates Ceasefire Amid War’s Destruction and Hope

After 15 months of relentless conflict, the Gaza Strip has erupted in celebrations as a long-awaited ceasefire finally came into effect. The truce, which began at 11:15 a.m. local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday, offers a fragile but hopeful pause in a conflict that has devastated the coastal Palestinian enclave and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The ceasefire follows intense negotiations mediated by international entities, during which Hamas submitted a list of three female captives to Israel as part of the agreement.

For the residents of Gaza, this moment is bittersweet—a glimmer of hope amidst the shadows of destruction.

• Dreams Amid Ruins

Om Salah, a resident of Gaza, expressed a deep sense of relief. “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 said. “Here, we are always scared and worried, but back home, we will find happiness again.”

Others echoed these sentiments while reflecting on their shattered aspirations. “All I want now is to complete my education,” shared one young man. “There have been loads of dreams destroyed during this genocide.”

• Streets Filled with Resilience

The streets of Gaza came alive with the sound of jubilation as health workers, rescue teams, and families celebrated together. Videos shared online, verified by Al Jazeera, captured civil defense teams chanting and making victory signs. Fireworks and celebratory gunfire replaced the haunting sounds of fighter jets and drones.

Reporting from outside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud noted the significant change in atmosphere. “There have been no violations reported since the ceasefire took effect. The only gunfire now is celebratory,” he said.

• The Cost of War

However, the relief is tempered by the sheer scale of destruction. In the final hours before the truce, Israeli forces killed at least 19 Palestinians and injured dozens more, bringing the death toll during the 15-month conflict to nearly 47,000. Rights groups suggest the actual numbers may be even higher.

On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, with around 250 taken captive.

Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis, described the scale of destruction as “massive.” She said many residents returning to southern Gaza were unable to recognize their neighborhoods.

Yet, amidst the devastation, there was a shared sentiment of gratitude. “We made it alive out of this war,” one resident said with a smile.

• Returning to Uncertainty

The ceasefire has enabled many displaced families to start their journey back home. At the hospital gates in Deir el-Balah, families were seen dismantling tents and collecting their belongings. Excitement was visible on their faces as they prepared to leave behind temporary shelters for what remains of their homes.

For some, however, the road to recovery is fraught with challenges. Anwar, a resident of Khan Younis, plans to return to Rafah despite reports of his home being destroyed. “I will set up a tent for my family of eight. I need to go back to my city, to where I was born,” he said.

Others shared similar stories of despair. Mahmoud Anwar Abu-Salem, who returned to northern Gaza after months in a refugee camp, found his family home reduced to rubble. “Fifty members of my family will now live in the streets,” he said. “Even the mosque was destroyed. It’s hard to even set up a tent here.”

• Emotional and Psychological Impact

While many expressed relief, others spoke of the lingering anxiety and psychological toll of the war. Nour Saqqa, a displaced woman from Gaza City, described feeling overwhelmed. “The ceasefire hasn’t brought complete relief. The fact that it’s being implemented in phases instead of all at once only adds to our stress,” she said.

Saqqa and others from Gaza City remain barred from returning home during the ceasefire’s initial phase, further compounding their uncertainty. “Even in this moment of relief, we’re living through constant anxiety about what might happen next,” she added.

• A Fragile Peace

As Gaza’s streets echo with celebrations, the ceasefire offers a fragile glimmer of hope in a region long scarred by violence. For now, the people of Gaza are holding on to this moment of respite, even as they face the monumental task of rebuilding their lives from the rubble.