Joy and relief in Khan Younis as ceasefire agreement sparks celebrations

In the early hours of Thursday morning, crowds filled the streets of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, celebrating news of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement. Despite the darkness and limited internet access, the news spread quickly, sparking scenes of jubilation after nearly two years of devastating conflict.

Videos obtained by Reuters show residents singing, dancing, and clapping in the streets, with children joining in as music blared from speakers. The celebrations continued into the morning, as word of the ceasefire reached more families.

Small crowds gathered on the streets of Khan Younis for celebration.

“These are historic moments, long awaited by Palestinian citizens after two years of killing and genocide that was committed with arrogance against the Palestinian people,” said local resident Khaled Shaat.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 67,000 people — the majority women and children — have been killed in Gaza since the war began, with another 169,841 injured. Humanitarian organizations and the UN believe the actual death toll may be significantly higher.

In a landmark development last month, a United Nations inquiry declared that Israel had committed acts of genocide in Gaza — a charge echoed by numerous human rights groups and legal experts. The Israeli government has strongly rejected the findings.

A UNICEF spokesperson in Gaza described the atmosphere on Thursday morning as one of “widespread joy and deep relief,” marking a rare moment of hope amid years of destruction and loss.