'Sending you love from Gaza': Palestinians hail ceasefire deal

Palestinians in Gaza clapped, cheered and danced in the predawn darkness yesterday, after Israel and Hamas agreed a ceasefire and hostage release deal in a major step towards ending the devastating two-year war in the territory.

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Around a dozen young men shouted joyful chants of "Allahu akbar", meaning God is the greatest, outside Khan Younis's Nasser Hospital, as one man lifted another onto his shoulders.

A man wearing a journalist's press vest could also be seen carried above the crowd.

"Thanks to God for this ceasefire, thanks for the end of the bloodshed and the killing," said Abdelmajid Abedrabbo, one of the people celebrating. "I am not the only one who is happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all of the Arab people are happy about the ceasefire," he added.

"Thanks and love to all those who stood with us and played a part in ending the bloodshed, sending you love from Gaza."

'We are happy'

"Despite all the wounding and the killing, and the loss of loved ones and relatives, we are happy today after the ceasefire," Ayman Al Najjar told AFP in Khan Younis.