🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the release of hostages detained within Gaza for over two years has generated joy and relief throughout the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—will see the return of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 captives have been returned—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

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

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”

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

Families Celebrate with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

The joy was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still detained in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he said.

He said he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are finally returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. 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 safely home.”

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from detainment in a ceasefire deal 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 peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas