🔗 Share this article

The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the release captives detained within Gaza for over 24 months has caused joy and comfort throughout the nation.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and moving to music beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.

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

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 following the announcement.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for an agreement which ensures the return of everyone still detained within Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. 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 yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are finally coming back.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

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

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has done for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.

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

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

“Numerous events can happen until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas