Palestinians celebrated on the streets of Gaza after Israel and the Islamist group Hamas called for a ceasefire meant to end the war. According to reports, the cease-fire was mediated by Egyptian leaders.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the cease-fire on TV.

"I would like to announce the agreement of the Palestinian leadership to the invitation by our brotherly Egypt to a comprehensive and permanent cease-fire starting at 19:00 tonight local Cairo and Palestine time."

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As the news of the ceasefire spread to the citizens, people filled the streets to celebrate late into the night. Vehicle owners honked their horns and mosques played religious chants on loudspeakers, according to reports.

A Gaza teacher expressed his mixed feelings about the news. "We are in pain for the losses but we are also proud we fought this war alone and we were not broken," he said.

He was one of those joining the festivities on the street with his two-year old son.

Some got carried away and celebrated the news with gunfire, killing one local and injuring 19 others, a hospital official said.

While the victor was not clear, Hamas militants claimed they won the war.

"Today we declare the victory of the resistance, today we declare the victory of Gaza," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

He also thanked God and the "resilience of our people."

In contrast, Israel gave a muted reaction to the truce.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel accepted the "open-ended ceasefire" negotiated by Egypt under the condition of completely ending terrorist attacks.

In addition, the Israeli government said they are ready to support the people of Gaza affected in the conflict.

The seven-week war resulted to 2,139 deaths on the Palestinian side. At least 490 were children. On the Israeli side, 64 soldiers and five civilians died.

TagsPalestine, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Gaza, Israel, Mahmoud Abbas, ceasefire, Egypt