‘Happiness, sadness, grief and worry’ across Israel and Gaza following ceasefire deal agreement

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Israelis in Tel Aviv celebrate news that a ceasefire had been agreed open image in gallery The digital clock that towers over “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv has been ticking for the last 466 days The hope is that it will also lead to the release of all the remaining 100 or so hostages held in Gaza and will lay the groundwork for the end of this nightmare since 7 October, when Hamas launched its bloody attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,000 people according to Israeli estimates. There are still 72 hours to wait.” open image in gallery Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip open image in gallery ‘Hostages Square in Tel Aviv’ lays empty late at night after the ceasefire deal announcement Care International said the agreement is “just the first step in stemming the overwhelming tide of suffering”, adding: “Palestinians have been killed on an incomprehensible scale.” In Israel, families of the hostages also described a whirlwind of joy, hope, and “deep anxiety” that the agreement might collapse and not everyone would be brought home. “It’s mixed feelings – happiness, sadness, grief, and worry,” said Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat, 41, a hostage, was supposed to be part of this ceasefire deal. open image in gallery A man plays his guitar in Tel Aviv as people watch on open image in gallery Protesters calling for the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip react following the news “She was even supposed to be part of the first days of the first phase, but the deal didn’t come in time.