🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated joy and comfort throughout the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 captives have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the people celebrating.

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending returned home.

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

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”

The delight could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the homecoming of all those still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

He stated he felt “broken” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

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

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has done on our behalf. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it was still too early to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel along with his brother Iair, who was released from detainment through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group