After hearing about the Gaza ceasefire, the first thing that Dubai-based Palestinian expat Reem did was to pray for her sister who is living in a tent in the war-ravaged city. She cried tears of joy as she dared to hope for peace after 15 months of conflict that has claimed nearly 50,000 lives.

“It isn’t the first time in history that a truce has been announced,” she said, speaking to . “However my hopes are high that this one will hold. My sister lives in Gaza and is currently staying in a tent with her eight children and three grandchildren. I am praying to see them soon. I am praying for peace and I hope that I can meet my sister and my family them once the borders are open.”

Late on Wednesday night, Israel and Hamas in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

For another expat Ahmed, the ceasefire brings hope of a better tomorrow. “I welcome the truce wholeheartedly,” he said. “My family back home has suffered enough. Even a day of peace means so much to them. Now, we need leaders who can turn this temporary peace into something permanent.”

The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has reduced large parts of Gaza into a ghost city. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), clearing the rubble — which amounts to 40 million tonnes — could take 15 years.

For Umm Khalid, the news brought mixed emotions. “I have deep emotions of sorrow and loss for our loved ones who are gone and will never return but the ceasefire and the end of the war are certainly a source of joy for every Palestinian. After this long period of suffering, hunger, displacement, and fear, my people there are experiencing strange emotions. It is a mix of joy, sadness and caution.”

Lara, who still has family living in Palestine, said the deal gave her a “glimmer of hope” amid a lot of heartbreak. “As a Palestinian, it’s hard not to feel cynical after so much pain,” she said. “But I also believe in the resilience of my people and their unwavering hope for a better future. I am sure we can and will survive this devastation too.”

Sharjah resident Umm Abdul Rahman and her family fled Palestine decades ago but still have family back there. “I don’t know what to feel,” she said. “I am truly happy and thankful but I have seen many promises and truces being broken. In fact, these last 15 months have shown me that they can act with as much impunity as they want and the world will watch mutely.”

She said she was still worried about the people in Palestine, especially since the holy month of Ramadan was approaching. “For now it is a truce, but I can’t shake of the feeling that in a month Ramadan is coming,” she said. “For the last decade they have bombed Palestine every Ramadan without fail. I am trying to keep my negative emotions at bay and I am truly hoping the world leaders will prevent a carnage like what we have seen from happening again.”