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SvennoJ on 16 January 2025
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Joy, relief in Gaza and Israel after truce deal


Deir el-Balah, central Gaza


Tel Aviv, Israel


Celebrations, fear in Gaza after Israel-Hamas reach a ceasefire deal

The past few hours have been completely different from what we used to see in the past.

There’s been a complete shift in al-Aqsa Hospital, where I am at, with people bursting into celebrations the moment they heard the news about a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. That news was followed by the announcement from the Qatari prime minister that the deal will not take effect until Sunday.

For a couple of hours, people turned this whole area into a stage of celebration, something we are not used to seeing here as this area used to be a stage for funerals for the victims of the war and a space filled with agony and sadness.

People came together here and in the streets and in tent sites across the Gaza Strip, including al-Mawasi, a site that has been bombed relentlessly for the past 15 months, all in celebration of an end to this nightmare.

The past days have been quite intense here. People have been approaching us at this broadcasting point, asking us about a ceasefire and an end to the war. And finally, it has happened.

But we know it’s not going to be enforced until Sunday and this period will be critical. We are expecting a surge in attacks by drones and heavy artillery, and that’s what caused people to end the celebrations after two hours. They have now returned to their tents as they know that the nighttime is less safe and more risky to walk and drive in the streets.


Bombing of Gaza ‘continues without pause’ despite ceasefire deal

Just hours ago there was an atmosphere of joy and relief among residents here when the ceasefire announcement was made from Doha, stating that it would take effect in the coming days.

However, immediately after the announcement, Israeli warplanes extinguished that joy for the people – striking hospitals, shelters and homes with direct air strikes. Even as we speak, the bombing continues without pause.

Earlier, we observed moments of joy and happiness among these residents who have endured this war for a year and a half – 467 days of pain and suffering. This war has affected everyone in Gaza. Particularly residents in the northern area who have faced displacement, hunger, bombings and massacres.

These people were eagerly awaiting this moment of peace despite losing their homes, children, families and everything they had. They are clinging to life and seeking safety.


UN aid chief welcomes ceasefire, warns of difficulty getting aid to survivors in Gaza

Tom Fletcher, the UN’s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel brought “much-needed hope to millions of people” in Gaza, but it will be a challenge getting aid to survivors of the conflict.

Fletcher also urged the UN Security Council to use its “collective voice” to ensure the ceasefire is upheld and international law is respected in terms of protecting civilians and allowing aid staff to work safely.

“This is a moment of hope and opportunity, but we should be under no illusions how tough it will still be to get support to survivors. The stakes could not be higher,” he said in a statement.