Palestinian and Jewish community members in Australia have welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza after 15 months of conflict.

The ceasefire, if it holds, is the first step in an agreement that will also see the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Melbourne-based Palestinian student Jed Alsabe said his community was warily happy about the ceasefire.

“We are happy the destruction will stop but we have mixed emotions. We don’t know what the future holds,” Jed said.

“Right now is a time for us to grieve; to think about the people we have lost. But not forgetting there are still three days to go before the ceasefire comes in and we are scarred of what these days will bring.

“But we do have hope for the future and there is a level of relief for the people in Gaza, especially the women and children.

“Now they can think about getting their lives back and rebuilding their futures. We want peace. We are tired of the death and destruction. Young people, just 14 or 15, have now lived through four wars.

“That’s too much, that shouldn’t happen. These kids should be looking forward to bright futures,” Jed said.

He said many members of his community both in Gaza and around the world were traumatised.

“We don’t know whether to be happy or sad after 500 days. So many people have been lost.

“But there is sense of hope that we can build a peaceful future. All of out houses are gone but it’s the people who matter now.”

Jed said he had spoken to his parents in Gaza since the ceasefire announcement.

“My mum and dad are in a bit of shock. They don’t know what is next and what to expect,” he said.

“Now is a time to think about the people we have lost and then to move on and rebuild our lives and communities – that is our hope,” Jed said.

Palestinian community leader Rasha Abbas said her community was experiencing “cautious relief”.

Rasha, who runs an organisation called PARA, which welcomes people arriving in Melbourne from Gaza, said there were ‘mixed feelings” about the ceasefire in the Palestinian community in Gaza and elsewhere.

“We are relieved obviously. But at the same time we are cautious about making sure the ceasefire holds,” Rasha said.

“It’s a huge relief for people and an emotional roller coaster. We have a newly arrived group in Melbourne, and they are happy and emotional.

“They are happy but also crying and grieving the loss of loved ones,” she said.

Rasha said her community hoped the ceasefire was the start of a new era of peace.

“We are all hoping that this is start of a lasting peace that ultimately results in a two-state solution,” she said.

“A ceasefire of itself is a temporary thing but we are hoping for peace for everyone.

Many of the newly arrived Palestinian families have posted heart felt messages on PARA’s chat group.

“God grant us patience and unite us back in Gaza,” one post said. 

“God, please complete out happiness,” another said.

“May we see a true celebration when peace for everyone becomes lasting,” yet another said.

“We will be happy when we meet again in Gaza, even if it is over our destroyed homes,” one more said.

“May Allah help us sustain the peace,” another post said.

Australian Jewish leaders have also welcomed the ceasefire.

The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) said it was “elated and relieved” over the deal, but mindful of those left behind and remaining ambiguity over Hamas’ role.

“We also note that the current deal is, in the main, the same deal that has been on offer since last July, and which Hamas has repeatedly rejected. We are therefore hopeful that acceptance of it now is a signal that the decimated leadership of Hamas – along with their gravely weakened patrons in Tehran – understand they have comprehensively lost the war they started on October 7, and will have to accept disarmament or exile,” the AIJAC statement said.

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dvir Abramovich described the deal as a “tidal wave of emotions for Israel and the Jewish people”.

Federal member for Melbourne seat of MacNamara Josh Burns said: “For the families of the hostages, whose loved ones will finally be coming home, and for the civilians of Gaza, whose lives have been torn apart, it is the agreement they’ve been waiting for.”

“Pain and suffering doesn’t distinguish between culture or religion. For both Israelis and Palestinians, this war has been devastating and the loss will be felt forever. Today, we join them in waiting for the return of every hostage and the rebuilding of every home,” he said.

NSW Liberal Senator Dave Sharma said: “growing pressure on Hamas and its allies has brought this about”.

“Importantly, the deal will lead to the release of some of the hostages and greater humanitarian assistance to flow to Gaza.”

“Hamas should immediately release all remaining hostages,” he said.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong called on all parties to respect its terms and safeguard a lasting peace, “including ensuring the immediate release of all hostages and unimpeded and sustained increases in humanitarian assistance to all parts of Gaza”.

“Our thoughts are with all the civilians killed, displaced and taken hostage in this conflict, and the many humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the service of others,” the statement said.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the conflict. Some estimates put the number much higher. The conflict has also caused a humanitarian catastrophe and destroyed most of Gaza’s infrastructure. The international court of justice is studying claims that Israel has committed genocide.

About 1,200 Israelis were killed on 7 October 2023, and another 250 taken hostage. One hundred were freed in exchange for 240 women and children held in Israeli jails in a ceasefire deal stuck in November 2023 that collapsed after a week.

Meanwhile, the UN migration agency IOM says the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached breaking point.

“Hospitals are destroyed, medical supplies depleted, and healthcare workers overwhelmed. Hunger is escalating, with food stocks exhausted and the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of famine, particularly in the besieged North. Families lack shelter and essential aid, leaving them exposed to the cold, with at least eight newborns tragically succumbing to hypothermia this winter,” the agency said.

“IOM calls on all parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. IOM, in coordination with its partners, stands ready to immediately scale up aid delivery, with nearly four million pre-positioned shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) items, as well as other essentials, ready for deployment from Jordan and Egypt to the most affected populations,” IOM said.

It said immediate was required to support displaced families, prioritise their safe return, and place their protection at the core of recovery efforts.

“IOM calls on all parties to uphold their commitments and respect international law to ensure the safety and dignity of affected populations,” the agency said.

Katerina Hatzi and Laurie Nowell