‘Joy beyond measure’: Celebrations in Gaza as long-awaited ceasefire begins

Celebrations have erupted across the Gaza Strip after a much-awaited ceasefire

“My joy is beyond measure,” said Gaza resident Om Salah.

“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 told Al Jazeera.

“Here, we are always scared and worried, but back home we will be very happy, and joy will come back to our lives .”

came into effect following 15 months of war that turned much of the coastal Palestinian enclave to rubble.

The ceasefire came into effect at 11:15am local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday after Hamas handed over a list of three female captives to be released as part of the deal to Israel through mediators.

‘We made it alive’

Gaza’s health workers and rescuers were also seen celebrating in the streets. Videos shared online, and verified by Al Jazeera, showed several civil defence teams chanting and raising victory signs.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from outside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, said there were “no violations reported since the ceasefire took effect”.

“There have been no more bombs, no more fighter jets, and no more drones. The only sound of gunfire we hear is from celebrations in the streets – gunshots and fireworks have been frequent,” he said.

Before the ceasefire came into effect, Israeli forces killed at least 19 more Palestinians and wounded dozens of others on Sunday, taking the total death toll in the 15-month genocide to nearly 47,000. Palestinian and rights groups say the actual number could be much higher.

At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and about 250 were taken captive.

Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis, said Palestinians from the southern city of Rafah described the destruction caused by Israel there as “massive”.

“They did not even realise where their neighbourhoods were,” she said.

“Nevertheless, people are very happy. You see everyone smiling, you see everyone chanting, and most of the Palestinians are saying: ‘We made it alive out of this war.’”