Gazans welcome the ceasefire with joy and sadness for all that has been lost.

Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets across Gaza on Sunday, honking car horns and cheering to celebrate the start of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Others who fled south gathered all their belongings and headed north for the long-awaited journey back to their homelands, or what was left of them. Many anxiously awaited news of what had become of their old neighborhoods from the first relatives and neighbors to return home.

Riyad al-Gharabri, 64, said he had little sleep as he and his family waited to see if the ceasefire would go into effect as planned. He spent Sunday mornings watching his watch, listening to the sporadic shelling and gunfire echoing from the city's eastern border, and praying that there was no sign that the long-awaited peace would crumble.

“All the wives here cried all night,” Al-Gharabry said, his voice hoarse.

In Gaza City, members of the Palestinian Civil Defense Team, which carried out rescue operations in response to Israeli attacks almost every day during the war, took to the streets to celebrate, climbing on top of ambulances and waving Palestinian flags.

In the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, cars honked their horns and coffee shops blared loud music.

For many, the moment was filled with conflicting emotions. There was pure joy that the bombing and bloodshed might finally – finally – end. But there was also an overwhelming sense of loss from the conflict that destroyed the territory and its population.

Many said they were determined to get back to their old lives despite the massive destruction across the enclave.

Ahed Aluocca, 52, said, “I'm very happy to be able to go back to my hometown, but it's also mixed with sadness.''

Al-Okka, a construction worker from the northern city of Gaza, said he had been living in a tent on the streets of Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza, for much of the past year. He had planned to return to his home on Sunday, but had heard that the house was partially damaged but still standing.

But even if the family were able to fix up one room and live there, he says that would be enough for now.

For some, the determination to rebuild lives destroyed by war has been overshadowed by the grief and pain accumulated over 15 months of conflict.

“I can't say I'm happy with the ceasefire,” said Suhaila Dawas, 55, a mother of eight who fled from Beit Lahia in the north to central Gaza. “After all is said and done, after endless loss, destruction and pain, what will be left of us?”

Dawas said several of his relatives were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Her home has been largely destroyed, and she said she hopes to find reminders of her family's life once home among the rubble, perhaps in a photo album, when she returns home.

She said she is grieving for more than her loss. She also said she was saddened by the loss of everything, including the future of her children and the hardships that will undoubtedly define Gaza's next chapter as people try to rebuild their lives. added.

“We spent our lives building homes for our children and now we have lost so much,” Dowas said. But “I'm grateful that the survivors will have the opportunity to find peace.”