Israel and Hamas Reach Ceasefire Agreement, Crowds Celebrate on Both Sides

After two years of conflict, Israel and Hamas have finally officially passed the first phase of a ceasefire agreement for Gaza on the 9th. Exiled Hamas Gaza leader Haniyeh announced that the Gaza war has ended, and a permanent ceasefire has begun; Israel’s security and full cabinet also met and passed the agreement, emphasizing no intention to resume hostilities. The news sparked celebrations on the streets of both Gaza and Israel, with people singing and dancing to welcome the long-awaited dawn of peace.

According to Haniyeh, the ceasefire agreement includes the two-way opening of the Rafah crossing, as well as a demand for Israel to release all imprisoned Palestinian women and children. Haniyeh further stated that Hamas has received guarantees from US, Arab mediators, and Turkey confirming the permanent end of the war.

Al Jazeera reported that, as part of the agreement, Israel will release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, 1,700 Gazan Palestinians arrested since the war began, as well as all detained Palestinian women and children.

The Israeli Security Cabinet was originally scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon to discuss approving the first phase of the ceasefire deal aimed at releasing 48 Israeli hostages held in Gaza (20 of whom are believed to be still alive), and planned to hold a full cabinet vote afterwards.

However, the process was disrupted by far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir's opposition. Ben-Gvir demanded a veto on releasing certain Palestinian security prisoners (including convicted terrorists), resulting in the Security Cabinet meeting being postponed, and the full cabinet meeting was thus delayed by over three hours. The leader of the Jewish Power party further threatened that if the Hamas government was not dissolved, his party would topple Netanyahu’s government.

Finally, the Security Cabinet and the full cabinet officially approved the ceasefire agreement. A photo posted by Prime Minister Netanyahu on social media showed US Middle East envoy Whitcoff and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner attending the meeting. Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar stated earlier that once the cabinet passed the agreement, a Gaza ceasefire would take effect immediately, and Israel had no intention of resuming the conflict. Sa’ar emphasized that only if Hamas is disarmed would the IDF fully withdraw from Gaza.

People Sing and Dance, Shedding Tears of Joy

Despite differences on the political front, news of the ceasefire brought a moment of joy to civilians devastated by the war. In Gaza, dozens of Palestinians sang and danced on the streets of Khan Younis and central Gaza, waving Palestinian flags. Displaced resident Samar Jude said emotionally, “Honestly, when I heard the news, I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy... Now, we finally feel a moment of relief.”

Meanwhile, at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, families of hostages and supporters gathered together, embracing in celebration—the scene was moving. One of the main organizers of the campaign to free the hostages, Zangok, stood in front of a giant clock displaying the number of days the hostages had been held, holding a sign reading “The clock is still ticking,” celebrating that his son Matan will soon be “coming home.”