🔗 Share this article

The declaration of an agreement expected to result in the freeing of hostages held within Gaza for more than 24 months has generated delight and comfort across the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

So far, 148 captives have been returned—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered 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 before the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee holding up a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

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

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians celebrate deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.

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

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their sibling 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 in October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement which ensures the return of all those still detained within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and here it is,” he said.

He said he felt “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those returning to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are finally coming back.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

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

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has accomplished for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.

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

“Until the last hostage is here, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.

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

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

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group