Crowds of Palestinians chanted slogans and hugged as news spread that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire and prisoner release deal aimed at ending more than 15 months of war in the Palestinian territories.

Mediator Qatar announced the deal on Wednesday, but Israel warned that several issues “remain unresolved” and hoped it would be finalized soon.

But celebrations in Gaza had already begun, with crowds hugging and taking photos to mark the news.

“I can’t believe that this nightmare that has lasted for more than a year is finally coming to an end. We have lost so many people, we have lost everything,” said Lan, 45, who was displaced from Gaza City to the Nuseirat camp in the center of the region. Randa Sameeh said.

“We need a lot of rest. As soon as the truce started, I went to the cemetery to visit my brothers and family. We buried them in Deir al-Balah cemetery, but there were no suitable graves. We will build new graves for them and Write their names on it.”

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered outside the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, chanting slogans, singing and waving flags. Many war casualties were treated here.

At one point, a crowd member and a journalist wearing body armor were hoisted onto people’s shoulders to conduct interviews above jubilant Palestinians.

As an ambulance pushed through the crowds to reach the hospital, men and women were smiling and chanting “Allahu akbar,” Arabic for “God is greatest,” and waving Palestinian flags.

Young children also gathered outside the hospital, milling among adults and watching them give interviews to waiting media, some of whom were confused by the commotion.

A group of young boys in the center of the crowd chanted slogans in support of the resistance, while adults filmed the moment on their cellphones.

In Gaza City, Abdul Karim, 27, said: “Even though we lost everything, I feel happy.”

“I can’t believe I finally get to see my wife and two kids again,” he added. “They left for the south about a year ago. I hope they can get the displaced people back as soon as possible.”

Large crowds also gathered in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with young men riding on the shoulders of others as they rode through the crowd, beating drums and cheering.

The deal announced on Wednesday is expected to halt fighting in the devastated Palestinian territory and free prisoners held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

Israeli Gaza war Since October 7, 2023, at least 46,707 Palestinians have been killed and 110,265 injured. The attack led by Hamas that day killed at least 1,139 people in Israel and captured more than 200 people.