Mixed Emotions Amidst Ceasefire: Palestinians Balance Joy and Grief

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:42:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following a ceasefire agreement and the potential release of hostages, Palestinians in Gaza express both happiness and sorrow as they navigate profound losses from years of conflict.

In the aftermath of a ceasefire agreement, Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the potential end to hostilities, yet the loss of loved ones weighs heavily on their hearts. The bittersweet emotions resonate across communities as they confront the grief of years lost to war. Voices from Gaza reveal how joy is intertwined with sorrow, as they celebrate while mourning those they’ve lost.

Palestinians in Gaza have celebrated the agreement of a ceasefire and hostage release deal - but many fear confronting the grief that has built up over two years of war.

This morning, when we heard the news about the truce, it brought both joy and pain, 38-year-old Umm Hassan, who lost his 16-year-old son during the war, told the BBC.

Out of joy, both the young and the old began shouting, he said. And those who had lost loved ones started remembering them and wondering how we would return home without them.

Every person who lost someone feels that sorrow deeply and wonders how they'll return home, he added.

The agreement announced by US President Donald Trump - which still must be accepted by Israel's security cabinet - will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

It is the first phase of a 20-point peace plan that could lead to an end to the war - though the latter phases still need to be negotiated.

More than 90% of Gaza's housing has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

God rewarded us for our patience, said Umm Nader Kloub from northern Gaza, who lost seven relatives during the war, including her sons.

In a sea of mixed emotions, Palestinians reflect on the future while grappling with monumental losses. Our happiness is mixed with pain, said Dr. Muhammad Rayan from al-Aqsa hospital. Deep inside, we feel thankful that the war has ended. But when we remember the groans, the wounds, and the immense loss, we simply can't rejoice.