JERUSALEM/CAIRO ¨C Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced on Thursday after a ceasefire and hostage deal was announced under the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump¡¯s initiative to end the war in Gaza.

The enemies both publicly endorsed the deal and had been expected to sign it around noon in the Egyptian beach resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, though there was no immediate official confirmation that the signing had taken place.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu¡¯s office said the ceasefire would take effect once ratified by the Israeli government, which would convene after a security cabinet meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Israel¡¯s hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch said the list of the Palestinian prisoners to be freed was still being worked out.

Residents in Gaza reported a series of air strikes on Gaza City around the time it was due to be signed.

Under the deal, fighting will cease, Israel will partially withdraw from Gaza and Hamas will free hostages it captured in the attack that precipitated the war, in exchange for prisoners held by Israel.

A source briefed on details of the agreement said Israeli troops would begin pulling back within 24 hours of the deal being signed.

The release of all 20 Israeli hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza is expected on Sunday or Monday, an Israeli official said. Another 26 hostages have been declared dead in absentia and the fate of two is unknown. Hamas has indicated it may take time to recover bodies scattered across Gaza.

Palestinians and the families of Israeli hostages broke into wild celebrations after news emerged of the pact.

In Gaza, where most of the more than 2 million people have been displaced by Israeli bombing, young men applauded in the devastated streets, even as Israeli strikes continued.

¡°Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing,¡± said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. ¡°I am not the only one happy, all of the Gaza Strip is happy, all the Arab people, all of the world is happy with the ceasefire and the end of bloodshed.¡±

Einav Zaugauker, whose son Matan is one of the last hostages, rejoiced in Tel Aviv¡¯s so-called Hostages Square, where families of those seized in the Hamas attack that sparked the war two years ago have gathered to demand their return.

¡°I can¡¯t breathe, I can¡¯t breathe, I can¡¯t explain what I¡¯m feeling ... it¡¯s crazy,¡± she said, speaking in the red glow of a celebratory flare.

¡°What do I say to him? What do I do? Hug and kiss him,¡± she said. ¡°Just tell him that I love him, that¡¯s it. And to see his eyes sink into mine. ......