🔗 Share this article

The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated joy and comfort throughout Israel.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their loved ones.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be returned home.

“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her daughter.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of all those still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

He stated he felt “broken” that Carmel would not be among those coming back home yet felt “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has done on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.

However, she warned that it was still too soon to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was freed from detainment through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas