As soon as the peace plan was accepted by the two belligerents, Israel and Hamas, this Thursday, October 9, there were numerous scenes of joy in Gaza and Tel Aviv. In Khan Younes, a Palestinian city located south of the enclave, many Gazans gathered overnight and early this morning to celebrate this agreement, which provides for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Residents danced and applauded this important breakthrough in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“It is a feeling of joy (…). As soon as we heard the news, we couldn’t believe it because we were very happy. We had to ask for confirmation several times. Now we are just waiting for this news to take effect so that this suffering will finally end,” confided Awad, a paramedic in the Gaza Strip, interviewed by RMC.
“These are historic moments, long awaited by Palestinian citizens,” said a Gaza citizen, quoted by Le Figaro. “When I heard the news I couldn’t contain myself. Tears of joy flowed,” Samer Joudeh told AFP in the town of Al-Mawasi.
“We finally feel like we are experiencing a moment of respite,” continued Samer Joudeh.
Smoke and champagne bombs in Tel Aviv
Same scenes of joy near Tel Aviv, Israel. In the “Place des Hostages”, several relatives of the Hamas detainees, finally calmed down, did not hide their joy. “He’s coming home,” shouted Einav, the mother of one of them, moved to tears and accompanied by her daughter, red smoke bomb in hand.
Gathered to celebrate this moment expected for several weeks, some Israelis raised the American flag, in reference to the role played by Donald Trump in achieving this agreement with Hamas. Equipped with a guitar, another played the strings while singing. Not far from him, some were hugging or brandishing a bottle of champagne.
“Fortunately Donald Trump exists,” Sabrina Belhassen, a French-Israeli close to the families of the hostages, responded on BFMTV.
“I think the majority of the population of Israel didn’t sleep a wink last night. These are cries of joy and hope,” said Sabrina Belhassen, still on BFMTV. And he continues: “We hope to see the 20 hostages who are still alive arrive alive and recover the bodies of the 28 dead hostages.”
Ceasefire and release of hostages
This agreement between Israel and Hamas provides for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. According to the president of the United States, they will return to the territory of the Jewish State “this Monday,” October 13.
For Emmanuel Macron, “this agreement must mark the end of the war and the opening of a political solution based on the two-state solution.” On the morning of Thursday, October 9, Israel indicated that the Gaza agreement will only come into force after approval by the government, which will meet in the afternoon.
Source: BFM TV
