Israel airstrikes have killed at least 20 people after the ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced.
According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, despite Israeli airstrikes, in Deir al-Balah in the centre of the strip, people gathered to celebrate, cheering and dancing on dark streets without power.
“Praise be to God, we will be free to live like human beings again soon,” a displaced father of four, Mohammed Azaiza, said, as reported by the Guardian UK.
In Tel Aviv, the mood was more sombre, as protesters in favour of a deal gathered in a demonstration held to remind Israel’s leaders of their position before the cabinet vote.
Maoz Inon, an Israeli peace activist whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack in October 2023 that triggered the war on 7 October, told Al Jazeera: “It’s too late for my parents and thousands of people in Gaza and thousands of Israelis but this is what I’ve been calling for … a deal and the beginning of a peace process. I am happy for all those who will sleep well tonight and go back to their families.”
A first batch of 33 hostages is expected to be released on Sunday in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, and wounded people in Gaza will be allowed to leave for medical treatment.
Children, women, including female soldiers, and the over-50s would be freed first, Sheikh Mohammed said. In exchange, Israel would release “a number of Palestinians”.
Associated Press reported that 50 Palestinians would be released for every female Israeli soldier released by Hamas and 30 for each of the other hostages.
The deal finalised in Doha largely follows the contours of a truce agreement first set out in May last year.
About 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been displaced from their homes, and should be allowed to move freely between the south and north of the territory, which Israel has cut in half by installing a military corridor.
The second phase is designed to be more comprehensive, with the remaining living hostages sent back and a corresponding ratio of Palestinian prisoners freed, alongside a complete Israeli withdrawal from the strip.
The third phase would address the exchange of bodies of deceased hostages and Hamas members, and a reconstruction plan for Gaza would be launched. Arrangements for future governance of the strip remain hazy.
War: Israel attacks kill at least 20 after ceasefire deal, as Palestinians celebrate