Thousands took to the streets of Gaza as the cease-fire took hold at 2 a.m. Young men waved Palestinian and Hamas flags, passed out sweets, honked horns and set off fireworks. Spontaneous celebrations also broke out in east Jerusalem and across the occupied West Bank.
An open-air market in Gaza City that was closed throughout the war reopened and shoppers could be seen stocking up on fresh tomatoes, cabbage and watermelons. Workers in orange traffic vests swept up rubble from the surrounding roads.
“Life will return, because this is not the first war, and it will not be the last war,” said shop owner Ashraf Abu Mohammad. “The heart is in pain, there have been disasters, families wiped from the civil registry, and this saddens us. But this is our fate in this land, to remain patient.”
The 11-day war left more than 200 dead the vast majority Palestinians and brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Scattered clashes at Jerusalem holy site after Gaza truce
Top Searches
Scattered clashes at Jerusalem holy site after Gaza truce
AP / Updated: May 21, 2021, 18:03 IST
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEMail
Palestinians hurled stones and Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas shortly after Friday prayers. AP Photo
GAZA CITY: Scattered clashes have broken out between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem hours after a truce in Gaza went into effect. Palestinians hurled stones and Israeli police fired stun grenades and tear gas shortly after Friday prayers. Clashes at the holy site, which is revered by Jews and Muslims, were one of the main triggers for the Gaza war.
Palestinians rally in thousands after Hamas-Israel ceasefire in Gaza
Politics 5 min read
The Friday truce was celebrated by many Palestinians, despite the 232 killed in Gaza, including 65 children. Celebrations broke out after the 2am ceasefire took effect [Fatima Shbair/Getty]
Palestinians rallied by the thousands early on Friday after a ceasefire took effect in the latest Israeli campaign in Gaza, with many viewing it as costly but clear victory for the Islamic militant group Hamas over a far more powerful Israel.
The 11-day escalation left more than 200 dead the vast majority Palestinians and brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. But the rocket barrages that brought life to a standstill in much of Israel were seen by many Palestinians as a bold response to the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, the emotional heart of the conflict.
Palestinians see victory in Gaza truce as Israel warns Hamas - World News castanet.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from castanet.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.