Scores of Israelis were excited as they returned to work and school on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, after the military lifted restrictions following a ceasefire with Iran.
People sunbathed and played football on Tel Aviv’s beaches, streets and markets came back to life, and schools reopened on Wednesday following the deal to end the 12-day war.
“Finally, we can start to live again,” said Yosi, 40, a yoga teacher and mother of two, sitting at a cafe in Tel Aviv.
The western coastal city was among the sites struck repeatedly during Iran and Israel’s deadly exchanges of missiles.
“I’m exhausted, but I was so relieved when I saw my two kids going to school this morning, meeting their friends, after 12 days at home,” she added.
Traders unpacked their spices, clothes, and souvenirs at Carmel market in the centre of the economic and tech capital, which is also renowned for its nightlife.
“We hope now the clients will be back. We have suffered too much,” a jewellery trader, Ori, told AFP.
Crowds of passengers moved through the Ben Gurion airport outside the city as commercial flights resumed.
Families holding miniature Israeli flags smiled as they stepped off planes on their return. Some kneeled and kissed the tarmac.
For some, the relief was tinged with fear about further unrest.
“I’m not religious but I pray that I won’t hear any more sirens, that I won’t have to run and hide in a shelter,” said Yafit Sofi, 33, between sips of beer in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening.
“We want to party, we want to live, to regain our carefree attitude… But how long will this last? What will the next war be?” the young woman said.
The ceasefire with Iran raised hopes for some that Israel would also halt the fighting in the nearby Palestinian territory Gaza where it has been battling to crush the Islamist militant group Hamas for more than 20 months.
The Israeli government declined to comment on any new ceasefire talks beyond saying that efforts to return Israeli hostages in Gaza were ongoing “on the battlefield and via negotiations”.
