They are scenes that were unimaginable even a few days ago. Hoped for, of course, but not expected.
Celebrations on Gaza's streets and on the streets of Israel as word of agreement on the first phase of a peace deal was confirmed.
After two years of war and numerous false dawns on the prospect of a ceasefire, last night marked a major breakthrough as Israel and Hamas finally signed off on the first phase of a Gaza peace plan.
Under pressure from the US President, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who faces elections in Israel by next year - has agreed a plan which will see a ceasefire and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
Hamas, depleted militarily after two years of intense bombardment and being threatened with total destruction by both the US and Israel, has also signed up to an agreement that will see the release of some 2,000 Palestinians being held in Israeli jails, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to an agreed line inside Gaza.
Aid agencies who have been lined up on Gaza's border in the hope of getting desperately needed humanitarian supplies into the enclave now believe that could happen imminently, helping to ease a crisis that has been described as unparalleled.
The approximately 20 living Israeli hostages are expected to be home within days, with the bodies of the deceased hostages also returned to their families in the coming hours.
Many questions remain - will Hamas disarm as Israel has insisted is crucial? What does this deal mean for any prospect of a two-state solution? Who will now rebuild and govern Gaza?
This is phase one and there are many details yet to be confirmed and carried out, but this day dawns in Gaza and Israel with hope - a rarity after two years of brutal and relentless conflict.
It's a start.
Read more:
What we know about the new Gaza ceasefire deal
Key moments in the Gaza war
Latest Middle East stories
