GAZA CITY — Palestinians in Gaza celebrated the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release deal yet many say the relief is shadowed by grief after two years of devastating war.

“This morning, when we heard the news about the truce, it brought both joy and pain,” said Umm Hassan, 38, who lost her 16-year-old son in the war.

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

The deal, unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump and awaiting approval by Israel’s war cabinet, will see 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 others returned to Israel in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

It marks the first phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which aims to end the war and lay the groundwork for a lasting settlement.

For many Gazans, however, the emotions are mixed.

“We, the civilians, are the ones who’ve suffered, truly suffered,” said Daniel Abu Tabeekh, from Jabalia refugee camp.

“The factions don’t feel our pain. Those leaders sitting comfortably abroad have no sense of the suffering we’re enduring here in Gaza. I have no home. I’ve been living on the streets for a year and a half.”

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and led to 251 hostages being taken.

Since then, Israeli strikes have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The UN says over 90% of Gaza’s housing has been damaged or destroyed.

“God rewarded us for our patience,” said Umm Nader Kloub, from northern Gaza, who lost seven family members, including her sons.

“God willing, he will help the negotiators and allow us all to return to our homes, and for their hostages to return safely. We don’t want war.”

In Deir al-Balah, Dr. Mousa said: “We have lost a lot during the two years of war. The Gaza Strip is destroyed. A difficult time still awaits us, but the important thing is we hope to be safe.”

As news of the possible ceasefire spread, Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK, reflected on the emotional toll of the conflict.

“The worst part in the last two years is that while you are losing loved ones, you are unable to allow yourself to grieve,” he told the BBC.

“Your main focus is to stop what’s happening. But after the event, the main feeling will be grief, mourning, and a deep, deep sense of loss. Because what we’ve lost is huge.” — BBC