The residents of Gaza expressed their happiness when the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas began

By Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Muhammad Salem

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) – Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, some on holiday, others to visit the graves of relatives, many rushing home.

“I finally feel like I have water to drink after 15 months of being lost in the desert,” a woman displaced from Gaza City, sheltering in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, told Reuters via a chat app.

Armed Hamas fighters marched through the southern city in cheers and chants, despite a three-hour delay following a deadly 15-month conflict.

Hamas police in blue police uniforms have been deployed in some areas for months, trying to stay out of sight to prevent Israeli airstrikes.

Crowds chanted “Peace be upon the Al-Qassam Brigade” to cheer on the fighters.

“All the opposition factions will remain despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” one fighter told Reuters, referring to the armed wing of Hamas.

“This cease-fire, God willing, is complete and comprehensive, and despite it there is no return to war.”

The ceasefire came into effect after a nearly three-hour delay, ending fighting that has brought a seismic political shift across the Middle East and hope for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, many of whom have been repeatedly displaced.

At least 13 people were killed in attacks on the district during a delay in Israeli military strikes, according to the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service. No attacks have been reported since it took effect at 11:15 a.m. (0915 GMT).

“Now we are waiting for the day to return home to Gaza City,” Aya said. “Injured or not, it doesn’t matter, the nightmare of death and hunger is over.”

40-year-old Ahmed Abu Ayham, who was displaced from Gaza City with his family and took refuge in Khan Yunis, said the destruction in his hometown was “terrible” and said that although the ceasefire agreement may have saved human lives, it was not time for the holiday.

“We are in pain, we are in severe pain and now is the time to hug each other and cry,” Abu Ayham said via the same app.

The much-anticipated ceasefire could help end the Gaza war, which Israeli officials say began after Hamas, which controls the tiny coastal territory, attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 people.

Israel’s response has reduced much of Gaza to rubble and killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza-based health officials.

“The war is over, but life will not be better because of the destruction and loss,” Aya said. But at least I hope there will be no bloodshed for women and children.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Mohammed Salem in Gaza; Editing by Philip Fletcher)