The skies over the Gaza Strip were calm on Wednesday after a ceasefire was finally agreed between Israel and the Palestinians, ending the seven-week conflict.
Thousands took to the devastated streets to celebrate the end of hostilities, after 2139 people - most of them civilians, including more than 490 children - were killed in the enclave. Seventy Israelis have also been killed, mostly soldiers.
Young boys waved guns in the air to fireworks - not airstrikes - lighting up the Palestinian skies, as both sides declared the open-ended ceasefire a victory.
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, hailed the agreement as a chance to "build a new nation and end the occupation", before thanking Egypt, Qatar and the US for their roles in brokering the agreement made during indirect talks in Cairo.
Hamas's exiled deputy leader, Moussa Abu Marzouk, said the agreement was a "victory for the resistance".
For Israel, the mood was more somber as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared they would continue the talks, and honor the ceasefire, as long as the talks would encompass a “total end to terror attacks.”
Palestinians celebrate the truce between Hamas and Israel
Thousands piled back onto the streets(01 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
More than 490 children died during the conflict(02 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
A young boy holds a machinegun(03 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
A Palestinian Hamas supporter holds up a little girl(04 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A militant celebrates in Gaza while holding up a young girl(05 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
Palestinians shoot fire works as they celebrate(06 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Fireworks are set off in the street(07 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Israel and Hamas agreed Tuesday to an open-ended cease-fire(08 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Palestinians perform fire tricks as they celebrate(09 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
2139 Palestinians were killed during the bloody war(10 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
Many used the v-sign to signify Palestinian victory(11 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
Thousands celebrated after 50 days of war(12 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
A man climbs onto a traffic light pole(13 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
People filled the streets of Gaza(14 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:Pacific Press via Getty Images)
Joyous Palestinians streamed into the streets of the battered enclave(15 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
The ceasefire has brought mass relief to citizens(16 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
Palestinians celebrate what they said was a victory (17 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
The UN urged both sides to comply with the terms of the agreement(18 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
Relief after months of prolonged Israeli-Palestinian fighting(19 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
V for victory(20 of20)
Open Image Modal (credit:ABBAS MOMANI via Getty Images)
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have been working on the ceasefire deal through indirect talks in Cairo over recent weeks.
As part of the deal, both sides have agreed to address more complex issues dividing them - including the release of Palestinian prisoners and Gaza's demands for a sea port - via further indirect talks starting within a month.