The conflict killed more than 2,200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians, and devastated neighbourhoods
The bloody seven-week Gaza conflict halted last night after Israel and Hamas agreed what it was hoped would be a long-term truce.
Both sides were claiming victory under the deal, brokered by Egypt. Bursts of celebratory gunfire erupted in the Gaza Strip and children held guns aloft as crowds cheered in the streets.
But with missiles still being fired and violence continuing right up until the ceasefire deadline - and even for a short while after - doubts persisted over whether the peace would hold.
In good spirits: Children, one holding an Islamic flag, sit atop a car as Palestinians gather in the streets to celebrate after the deal was reached between Hamas and Israel
Fireworks: With missiles still being fired right up until the ceasefire deadline, doubts persisted over whether the peace would hold. Above, Palestinians launch fireworks
Lighting up the sky: There was also concern that some of the key differences underlying the longest, bloodiest battle between the old foes in years remained unresolved
Fireworks: Palestinians set off fireworks as the gather in the streets after Israel and Hamas agreed what it was hoped would be a long-term truce
'Victorious': Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum (centre) is carried by Palestinians as they celebrate what they said was a victory over Israel following the ceasefire
Embrace: Senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Al-Zahar (centre), appearing for the first time since the start of the conflict hugs senior Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed al-Hindi
There was also concern that some of the key differences underlying the longest, bloodiest battle between the old foes in years remained unresolved.
The conflict killed more than 2,200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians, left tens of thousands in the Gaza Strip homeless and devastated entire neighbourhoods in the blockaded coastal territory.
Despite the Palestinians’ celebrations, the terms of the deal fell far short of Hamas’ demand that Israel and Egypt open Gaza’s borders.
Under the agreement, Israel is to ease imports into Gaza, including aid and material for reconstruction. It will also allow Palestinians to fish six nautical miles offshore, up from three nautical miles.
Mass turnout: Last night, there was concern that some of the key differences underlying the battle remained unresolved. Above, jubilant Palestinians take to the streets
Joyful: Palestinians celebrate the cease-fire by riding down the main road in Gaza. The conflict killed more than 2,200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians
Smiling: The seven-weak conflict also left tens of thousands in the Gaza Strip homeless and devastated entire neighbourhoods in the blockaded coastal territory
Falling short: Despite the Palestinians' celebrations (pictured), the terms of the deal fell far short of Hamas' demand that Israel and Egypt open Gaza's borders
Getting stuck in: Palestinian men flash the sign of victory as they gather at an intersection in Gaza City to celebrate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Young supporter: The truce took effect at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT). Above, a Palestinian girl makes the victory sign as she sits on her father's lap yesterday
Dressed up: Under the deal, Israel is to ease imports into Gaza, including aid and material for reconstruction. It will also allow Palestinians to fish six nautical miles offshore, up from three nautical miles. Above, a Palestinian child wearing a Hamas headband flashes the sign of victory on the top of a car
n a month, the cease-fire calls for talks to begin in Cairo on more complex issues, including building a seaport and airport in Gaza, and Israel’s demand that Hamas disarm, which up until now had been a major sticking point.
However, the agreement appeared to contain no major Israeli concessions.
The truce took effect at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), but in Israel, mortar shells fired from Gaza killed one man and seriously wounded two people.
In Gaza, police reported that an Israeli airstrike 13 minutes before the ceasefire began collapsed a five-story building in the town of Beit Lahiya.
Booms from Israeli strikes could be heard in Gaza after the truce announcement was made.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a long-time rival of Hamas, is likely to play a crucial role in any new border deal for Gaza.
Abbas lost control of the strip after Hamas seized the territory in 2007. He is expected to regain a foothold there under the new agreement.
In such a scenario, forces loyal to Abbas could be posted at Gaza’s border crossings to allay fears by Israel and Egypt about renewed attempts by Hamas to smuggle in weapons.
Israel is also concerned that material for reconstruction could be diverted by Hamas for military purposes. In recent years, Hamas has built a network of attack tunnels under the border with Gaza that Israel says its forces largely demolished during the Gaza war.
In a televised address last night, Abbas said the end of the war underscored the need to find a permanent solution to the conflict with Israel.
‘What’s next? Gaza has been subjected to three wars. Shall we expect another war in a year or two? Until when will this issue be without a solution?’ he asked.
Blaze: In a month, the cease-fire calls for talks to begin in Cairo on more complex issues. Above, Palestinians gather in the streets celebrating a ceasefire in Gaza City
Complex issues: These issues include building a seaport and airport in Gaza, and Israel's demand that Hamas disarm, which up until now had been a major sticking point
Firing: A Palestinian fires rounds into the air as people gather in the streets to celebrate after a deal was reached between Hamas and Israel over an end to the conflict
Busy: People flash the sign of victory as they gather in the streets to celebrate after a deal was reached between Hamas and Israel over a long-term end to the conflict
Cheerful: Young Palestinians are pictured celebrating the Egypt-brokered ceasefire, which was announced Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Joining in: Two men, donning t-shirts sand bandanas, wave flags as they celebrate the ceasefire, which Palestinians have deemed a 'victory' over Israel
Grinning: A young boy in a blue vest top grins as he flashes a victory sign at the camera. The ceasefire was brokered by Egypt and agreed to by both Israel and Hamas
Greeting: Young Palestinians are pictured greeting a masked militant as they celebrate the ceasefire in Gaza City following a seven-week bloody conflict
Aides have said Abbas plans to ask the UN Security Council to demand Israel’s withdrawal from all lands captured in the 1967 Mideast war to make way for an independent Palestinian state.
The U.N. says about three-quarters of the Palestinians killed in the conflict since July 8 have been civilians and during the war Hamas said it would only agree to a ceasefire if the blockade was lifted.
Although the blockade remains, Hamas was determined last night to claim that Israel backed down.
‘We are here today to declare the victory of the resistance, the victory of Gaza, with the help of God, and the steadfastness of our people and the noble resistance,’ said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
Victory sign: The truce took effect at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), but in Israel, mortar shells fired from Gaza killed one man. Above, a militant flashes a victory sign
Triumphant: Palestinians are pictured celebrating what they said was a victory over Israel following the ceasefire in Gaza City
Parade: Children hold up guns (one with an empty magazine) from a car as Palestinians gather to celebrate after the deal was reached between Hamas and Israel
Chanting: The U.N. says about three-quarters of the Palestinians killed in the conflict since July 8 have been civilians and during the war Hamas said it would only agree to a ceasefire if the blockade was lifted. Above, a Palestinian woman chants slogans from inside a car in Gaza City yesterday
Happy: Although the blockade remains, Hamas was determined last night to claim that Israel backed down. Above, Palestinians flash the sign of victory
In army gear: A young Palestinian boy, dressed in a camouflage outfit and a bandana, holds a gun while two girls make victory signs yesterday
Showing their support: Armed with a gun, a young Palestinian boy makes a victory sign (left) as another waves a green flag (right) during the celebrations
Israel and Egypt imposed the border blockade after the Hamas takeover of 2007.
Under the restrictions, virtually all of Gaza’s 1.8 million people cannot trade or travel. Only a few thousand are able to leave every month. On the Israeli side, 69 people have been killed, all but five of them soldiers.
Thousands of Israelis living near Gaza have fled their homes, including in recent days when Gaza militants stepped up mortar fire on southern Israel.
The Gaza war stems from the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teens in the West Bank by Hamas operatives in June, which triggered a massive Israeli arrest campaign in the West Bank, followed by an increase in rocket fire from Gaza.
Getting involved: Two Palestinian children sit atop a car. One holds a yellow Fatah movement flag to celebrate the ceasefire, while the other makes a victory sign
Gleeful: Palestinians celebrate as they return to their houses in the Shejaia neighborhood, which witnesses said was heavily hit by Israeli shelling and airstrikes
Massing in the street: Palestinians gather in the streets to celebrate after the deal was reached between Hamas and Israel over a long-term end to the fighting
Different forms of celebration: A Palestinian man plants a Hamas flag atop a street light (left), while others wave flags in the streets (right)
Lit up: Since the fighting began, Israel has launched some 5,000 airstrikes at Gaza, while Gaza militants have fired close to 4,000 rockets and mortars, according to the Israeli military. Above, an aerial view of the celebrations in the streets of Gaza City
Traffic: Cars are seen in the streets as the celebrations unfold. The conflict killed more than 2,200 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians, and injured many more
Since the fighting began, Israel has launched some 5,000 airstrikes at Gaza, while Gaza militants have fired close to 4,000 rockets and mortars, according to the Israeli military.
The cease-fire was announced just hours after two high-rise buildings in Gaza that were packed with homes and shops were bombed by Israel.
As a result of the Gaza City attacks, the 15-storey Al-Basha Tower collapsed, while the nearby Italian Complex was severely damaged.
Fortunately nobody was killed as both buildings had been evacuated following advance warnings from the Israeli military, although 25 people were wounded as a result of the strike on the Italian Complex - a large commercial building containing scores of shops and offices.
The Israeli military yesterday said it targeted sites linked to militants, but made no specific reference to the two buildings.
War: Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City yesterday.The Israeli air force ramped up its targeting of high-rise buildings, destroying a 13-storey building
Damaged: Palestinians inspect the rubble of destroyed Al-Basha tower in Gaza City yesterday. The tower was evacuated before the attack, which injured several people
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