Gaza Residents Celebrate Ceasefire despite Continued Strikes, Uncertainty

As the clock struck 8:30 a.m., signs of joy spread across the Gaza Strip. Fireworks lit up the sky, and celebratory gunfire echoed through neighborhoods, marking the moment of relative calm after months of intense war.

“The people here are hoping for more stability and safety as the ceasefire begins,” said Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah.

Despite the momentary relief, the scars of war remain evident. Heavy artillery fire could still be heard just minutes before the truce. Tragic incidents also occurred, including an explosion at a home filled with explosive materials in northern Gaza, leaving multiple family members injured.

Ongoing logistical hurdles have delayed the finalization of the truce agreement. Hamas officials cited technical difficulties, including the complex coordination required to determine the location of captives.

To prepare for the ceasefire, a period of calm was requested to allow Hamas and other factions to finalize details, including the compilation of the captives' names.

Reports indicate that Israeli forces carried out additional strikes in Khan Younis, Rafah, and other parts of the Gaza Strip earlier in the morning, with no immediate word on casualties. A warehouse in Deir el-Balah was also targeted.

The ceasefire plan includes a prisoner exchange to begin at 4 p.m. local time, with Hamas releasing three female captives in exchange for 95 Palestinians, primarily women and children, held in Israeli jails. The exchange will be facilitated by the Red Cross.

Under the agreement, Israeli troops are set to withdraw from populated areas, retreating to a one-kilometer buffer zone along Gaza’s borders. Correspondents reported the initial stages of troop withdrawal from Rafah.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has circulated maps warning residents against approaching zones near soldiers, such as the Netzarim junction and the Philadelphi Corridor.

The humanitarian situation remains dire, though relief may soon arrive. Israel plans to ease its blockade and allow 600 trucks carrying critical aid into Gaza. Humanitarian agencies, including the UN, have confirmed readiness to expedite supplies of food, water, and medicine into the enclave.

Though the skies over Gaza are now quieter, the psychological and physical toll of the Israeli war continues to weigh on its residents. Many survivors mourn loved ones lost during the fighting, while others await the chance to return to their homes and begin the arduous process of rebuilding.