A mix of emotions—from the joy of returning home following a cessation of war to the hope for a safer future—crept into the hearts of Gazans on Thursday, even as they walked through streets heavy with the scent of destruction and past the rubble of houses once teeming with life.
After two years of intense shelling and displacement, the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip injected a pulse of life back into the territory and opened a small window toward the dream of returning home.
Amidst those searching for loved ones, inspecting the remains of their houses, and raising their hands in gratitude for simply being alive, a poignant human scene unfolded—one that encapsulates the anguish of war and humanity’s deep yearning for peace.
The sound of celebration rose above the streets of Gaza following the ceasefire announcement. The following is a look at the most prominent expressions of celebration across social media, topped by the chants: “Allahu Akbar (God is Great)… Allahu Akbar.”
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi announced on Thursday, that an agreement has been reached to establish a ceasefire and end the war in the Gaza Strip, which had lasted for two consecutive years.
In a post on his official Facebook page, President Sisi stated: “The world witnessed a historical moment that embodies the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war, originating from Sharm El Sheikh, the land of peace and the cradle of dialogue and rapprochement.”
He added: “An agreement has been reached for a ceasefire and the end of the war in Gaza after two years of suffering, in accordance with the peace plan presented by President Trump and under the sponsorship of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.”
The President concluded: “This agreement not only turns the page on a war, but it also opens the door of hope for the people of the region for a tomorrow governed by justice and stability.”
