GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Men, women and children went out on the streets of the Gaza Strip, a few minutes past 7 p.m., after the 51-day war was finally over. Hundreds gathered in the streets, raising Hamas and Islamic Jihad flags, while a few raised the flags of Fatah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Hala, a little girl, sticks her head out of the car and cheers, “Izz ad-Din Brigades!” Other men and women cheer joyfully celebrating the war’s end, while patriotic songs blast through speakers and “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, the resistance has won,” can be heard from the mosques’ loudspeakers.

This remains a historic moment even though the citizens describe it in different ways. Um Fayez, 45, says, “It is a victory day,” as she thanks God. “Soon, we will celebrate the liberation of Jerusalem, but we will never forget the martyrs,” she says as her voice weakens, and she starts crying.

This is how Aug. 28 ended. However, its beginning was completely different and Gazans were traumatized as Israeli forces targeted two residential buildings — the Italian Complex and Basha Tower — in the early morning hours, in the most vital areas of Gaza.