Thousands of Palestinians celebrated in Gaza after Israel and Palestinian groups agreed to an open-ended ceasefire to end seven weeks of fighting in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians celebrated in Gaza after Israel and Palestinian groups agreed to an open-ended ceasefire to end seven weeks of fighting in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip celebrated a long-term ceasefire deal, agreed to between Hamas and Israel, that put an end to seven weeks of fighting that claimed the lives of 2,143 Palestinians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Hamas’ exiled deputy leader, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said the agreement was a “victory for the [Palestinian] resistance”.

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Meanwhile, Ofir Gendelman, an Israeli prime minister’s office spokesman, said the operations in Gaza were a victory for Israel. “Hamas gave in and accepted the same Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire it rejected until now,” Gendelman said.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told Al Jazeera that the bloodshed could have been “avoided” if Hamas had accepted the July 15 ceasefire agreement.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel will ease restrictions on the entry of goods, humanitarian aid and construction materials into Gaza, and expand the offshore area open to Palestinian fishermen to six nautical miles.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas hailed the agreement as a chance to “build a new nation and end the occupation”, before thanking Egypt, Qatar and the US for their roles in brokering the agreement made during indirect talks in Cairo.

Speaking to AFP news agency, Palestinians in Gaza said they were optimistic that the current ceasefire would last and allow Gaza to re-build. “We were able to sleep,” said Alaa al-Jaro in Gaza City. “We had the best sleep ever after the Israeli aggression ended.”

“A ceasefire has been signed, and this time it should last, not like before,” 16-year-old Raed Alaa Habeb from Gaza City’s battered Shujayea neighbourhood told AFP. “We trust in this ceasefire.”

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel will ease restrictions on the entry of goods, humanitarian aid and construction materials into Gaza, and it expanded the offshore area open to Palestinian fishermen to six nautical miles.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel will ease restrictions on the entry of goods, humanitarian aid and construction materials into Gaza, and it expanded the offshore area open to Palestinian fishermen to six nautical miles.
Talks on crucial issues, such as Hamas(***) demands for a seaport and the release of political prisoners, and Israel(***)s call to disarm Gaza(***)s armed groups, will be delayed until negotiations resume in Cairo next month.

Talks on crucial issues, such as Hamas(***) demands for a seaport and the release of political prisoners, and Israel(***)s call to disarm Gaza(***)s armed groups, will be delayed until negotiations resume in Cairo next month.
Hamas(***) exiled deputy leader, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said the agreement was a (***)victory for the resistance(***).

Hamas(***) exiled deputy leader, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said the agreement was a (***)victory for the resistance(***).
Ofir Gendelman, an Israeli spokesperson, said Israel(***)s operations in Gaza were a victory for Israel, however.

Ofir Gendelman, an Israeli spokesperson, said Israel(***)s operations in Gaza were a victory for Israel, however.
Palestinian cars lined the main road in Gaza, as people celebrated the end of the war.

Palestinian cars lined the main road in Gaza, as people celebrated the end of the war.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal was an opportunity to (***)build a new nation(***).

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal was an opportunity to (***)build a new nation(***).
Crowds took to the bombed-out streets of Gaza to celebrate the end of hostilities. Many used the V-sign, to signify Palestinian victory over Israel.

Crowds took to the bombed-out streets of Gaza to celebrate the end of hostilities. Many used the V-sign, to signify Palestinian victory over Israel.
A total of 2,142 Palestinians, most of them civilians, including more than 490 children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its offensive on July 8.

A total of 2,142 Palestinians, most of them civilians, including more than 490 children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its offensive on July 8.
Palestinians returned to their houses in the Shujayea neighborhood, which witnesses said was heavily hit by Israeli shelling and air strikes during the Israeli offensive.

Palestinians returned to their houses in the Shujayea neighborhood, which witnesses said was heavily hit by Israeli shelling and air strikes during the Israeli offensive.
People in and around the war-torn enclave enjoyed a welcome night of peace. The ceasefire has held so far, with no Israeli air strikes or Palestinian rockets reported.

People in and around the war-torn enclave enjoyed a welcome night of peace. The ceasefire has held so far, with no Israeli air strikes or Palestinian rockets reported.

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