Rinad Tamimi. PHOTO: ODT FILES
After 15 months of conflict, Hamas and Israel have reached a deal for a six-week ceasefire, which is expected to begin on Monday NZ time.
Israel's assault on Gaza followed an attack on southern Israel in October 2023 by Hamas fighters, 1200 people were killed and more than 250 taken as hostages, Israeli authorities say.
Palestinian health officials report more than 46,000 people have been killed since the war began.
Palestinian-New Zealander Rinad Tamimi, of Dunedin, felt the ceasefire was bittersweet, it was hard to celebrate when so many had died, she said.
"Every time I think of being happy about this, I think of the ones that were praying for this today ... that were actually killed.
"I'm hoping that Israel will stick to what they're planning because [since the announcement] they've been bombing people ... in Palestine, so it still hasn't really stopped."
Over social media, Mrs Tamimi had seen Palestinians react to news of the ceasefire.
"Some people are saying `I just want to run freely', `I want to go back and build my home', `I want to go back and sit on the rubble of my home'," she said.
"Others want to go and find the graves of the ones they've lost.
"No matter how much the loss is ... Palestinians still show you that they're willing to live and exist, no matter what."
The ceasefire was a step towards liberation for the Palestinian people, but there was still work to be done, Mrs Tamimi said.
"All this time we've been rallying, asking for a ceasefire now and that's something we've hopefully achieved.
"As much as we're still upset ... lost and still have a long way to go, it's nice to be able to laugh and cry together."
Mrs Tamimi said attention would now turn to cementing the ceasefire and rebuilding.
"Focusing more on ending the occupation, of lifting the siege, for Palestinians to have the right to return.
"My main prayer would be for this to actually take effect so people in Gaza, the remaining children of Gaza, can breathe."
New Zealand Jewish Council president Juliet Moses said the council wanted the war and suffering on both sides to stop.
"The Palestinian people must be able to live free from its oppression and in a society that embraces a future alongside Israel," she said.
"However, we struggle to see how there can be any prospect of a lasting peace and avoiding further rounds of war with Hamas' continued governing of Gaza.
"It must not be able to deliver upon its promise to repeat such attacks again."
She said Israeli and Jewish people around the world had different views about the ceasefire, but the Israeli hostages and their families would be at front of mind for most.
"We share a mix of relief and trepidation about their release, given we do not know who is alive and what state those who are are in."
