Palestinians have taken to the streets of Khan Younis, Gaza, to celebrate after US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of his peace deal aimed at ending Israel’s war in Gaza.
As word of the agreement spread through the besieged enclave, residents of southern Gaza’s Khan Younis took to the streets to celebrate what many hoped would mark the first real reprieve from Israeli attacks since a fragile truce was shattered by Israel more than six months ago.
“Thank God for this ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing … all of Gaza is happy,” Gaza resident Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo said.
“These are the moments that are considered historic, long-awaited by Palestinian citizens,” added resident Khaled Shaat. “The joy we saw a short time ago in the street is relief from the m@ssacres, k!lling and g£nocide.”
The peace deal was announced on Wednesday night, October 8.
Under the agreement Trump said Israel would withdraw its troops to “an agreed upon line” and all remaining Israeli hostages would be released “very soon”.
Hamas officials and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu have confirmed the deal, although timings remain unclear.
Watch video of the celebration in Gaza below.
Celebrations in Gaza today. I haven’t seen them this happy since the war started. A blessed day. (For context: they’re cheering the Hamas military.) pic.twitter.com/qb37rbH79C
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) October 9, 2025
