STORY: Palestinians in Khan Younis took to the streets in celebration on Thursday (October 9) after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war.

Crowds gathered near Nasser Hospital, clapping and cheering, in what one Palestinian described as “historic moments” after two years of conflict.

Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday (October 8) to the first phase of Trump's plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could open the way to ending a bloody two-year-old war that has upended the Middle East.

Just a day after the second anniversary of the cross-border attack by Hamas militants that triggered Israel's devastating assault on Gaza, indirect talks in Egypt yielded an agreement on the initial stage of Trump’s 20-point framework to bring peace to the Palestinian enclave.

The accord, if fully implemented, would bring the two sides closer than any previous effort to halt a war that had evolved into a regional conflict, drawing in countries such as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, deepened Israel's international isolation and reshaped the Middle East.

But the deal announced by Trump late on Wednesday was short on detail and left many unresolved questions that could still lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: PALESTINIANS IN THE STREETS OF KHAN YOUNIS CELEBRATING AFTER ISRAEL AND HAMAS AGREE TO FIRST PHASE OF TRUMP'S PLAN TO END GAZA WAR / COMMENTS FROM PALESTINIANS IN KHAN YOUNIS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (OCTOBER 9, 2025) (VIDEO OBTAINED BY REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PALESTINIANS CHEERING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN KHALED SHAAT, SAYING:

“These are moments that are considered historic moments, long awaited by Palestinian citizens after two years of killing and genocide that was committed with arrogance against the Palestinian people. The joy we saw a short time ago in the Palestinian street is a result of the big pressure on the Palestinian people, big massacres, killings, genocide.”

3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERED, CLAPPING AND CHEERING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN WAEL RADWAN, SAYING:

“Thank God, today (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump announced that the war stopped, we are very happy that the war stopped, this is something joyful for us and we thank our brothers and anyone who contributed even if verbally to stop the war and to stop the bloodshed.”

5. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CHEERING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN ABDUL MAJEED ABD RABBO, SAYING:

“Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing. I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed. Thank you and all the love to those who stood with us.”

7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATING