News | International
11 Feb 2025 9:45
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    In pictures: How Palestinians and Israelis reacted to Gaza ceasefire news

    A ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel has been reached after intensive negotiations in Qatar. These images capture how Palestinians and Israelis reacted to the news.


    A ceasefire and hostage deal between Hamas and Israel has been reached after intensive negotiations in Qatar. 

    The deal, due to take effect on Sunday, will pause Israel's 15-month conflict.

    Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages to Gaza, according to Israeli officials.

    Israel's bombardment of Gaza has killed an estimated 46,000 people, according to the Gaza health ministry.

    The first phase of the new agreement would involve a ceasefire for at least six weeks, and the release of 33 of the estimated 100 Israeli hostages still in Gaza, and about 1,000 Palestinians held in Israel's prisons.

    From Tel Aviv to central Gaza, people took to the streets to mark the deal.

    "By God, we are very happy that this crisis, sadness, bombing and death that happened to us is finally over and that we will return to our hometowns and return to our families in Beit Hanoun, Gaza and the north (of Gaza) and see our families who remained alive and see our lives, return to our old lives and be happy and live like we used to."

    Abdallah Al-Baysouni, a displaced Palestinian man in Gaza.

    "This is not an agreement, this is just hell. Trump promised us hell and we are in hell. The government doesn't have a mandate to bring just part of them, they need to bring all of them back. My brother is going to come in the first stage but we don't know what his condition is, we don't know if he is alive, we know nothing."

    Daniel Algarat, whose brother Itzhak Elgarat, 69, was abducted by Hamas from Nir Oz kibbutz on October 7.

    "We have no strength left. We are waiting for there to be no blood, no killings, no wounded, no destruction, no displacement. It is enough."

    --- Rami Abu Shera, a man who was displaced from his home in Khan Younis. 

    "I think that that's amazing, we've been waiting so long for our hostages to finally come home, praying, hoping, and now it's finally happening. And we're so excited."

    Ariella Cohen, an 18-year-old who was sitting with friends in a Jerusalem cafe.

    "Even though it has already been bombed, at least we return to our land. The moment a ceasefire takes hold, there is a psychological relief, and you return to the land you used to live on better than being in humiliation."

    Aman Abu Jarad, a displaced woman from Beit Hanoun, Gaza.

    "These days are horrible for us. I want to know already if they're coming back. I want to know already if they're OK or not. I want to hold my cousin in my arms and celebrate the biggest celebration."

    Yafit Zailer, who broke down into sobs over the thought of her relatives — Shiri and Yarden Bibas and their two small children, Ariel and Kfir — being released after 15 months of captivity.

    "Thank God that the agreement has been reached and that we will return to our homes, to our families, and to our loved ones ... [however] it is true that our homes are gone, and our loved ones, our brothers, and our families are gone."

    Haitham Doghmosh, a Palestinian man in central Gaza, summing up the mixed reactions of relief and loss after the ceasefire was announced.

    "Another roller coaster is coming — is he alive or not? Should I prepare (for) a funeral or should I prepare (for) a celebration?"

    Daniel Lifshitz, whose 84-year-old grandfather, Oded, is being held captive in Gaza along with many of his friends.

    "We would ululate as we go back home safely, but our homes have been bombed and everything is gone. Where do we go?"

    Kifaiya Al-Attar, a displaced woman from Beit Lahiya.

    "Since November 2023, we have been anxiously awaiting this moment, and now, after over 460 days of our family members being held in Hamas tunnels, we are closer than ever to reuniting with our loved ones. However, deep anxiety and concerns accompany us regarding the possibility that the agreement might not be fully implemented, leaving hostages behind."

    — Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters in a statement.


    ABC




    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     11 Feb: Metropolitan Police response criticised at Sam Kerr's racially aggravated harassment trial in London
     11 Feb: Trafficking and crime will rise after US foreign aid freeze, experts say
     11 Feb: Hamas suspends release of hostages and says Israel breached ceasefire
     10 Feb: Taylor Swift booed by some fans at Super Bowl as Donald Trump adds to pile-on
     10 Feb: Super Bowl 2025 five quick hits: Travis Kelce can't catch a break and Serena Williams makes a cameo with Kendrick
     10 Feb: Donald Trump to announce new tariffs on steel and aluminium
     10 Feb: US officials head to Europe for top-level talks on Ukraine war
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni has praised his side for defying the odds to beat Kansas City and win Super Bowl LIX More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Belief the Government could be doing an awful lot more to attract domestic dollars More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    A priest has pleaded guilty to abusing five boys at a Feilding boarding school 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Jessica Alba has filed for divorce from husband Cash Warren 9:12

    Entertainment:
    Sir Elton John has a "new respect for sight-impaired people" 8:42

    Business:
    Belief the Government could be doing an awful lot more to attract domestic dollars 8:17

    Rugby:
    Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni has praised his side for defying the odds to beat Kansas City and win Super Bowl LIX  8:17

    Entertainment:
    Kanye West has hit out at critics of his wife's naked Grammys stunt 8:12

    Law and Order:
    Metropolitan Police response criticised at Sam Kerr's racially aggravated harassment trial in London 8:07

    Accident and Emergency:
    Fire crews are heading back out to a scrub fire at Tikorangi, east of New Plymouth 8:07

    Law and Order:
    Trafficking and crime will rise after US foreign aid freeze, experts say 7:57

    Christchurch:
    Two people are seriously injured following a truck crash in South Canterbury 7:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd