🔗 Share this article

The declaration regarding a deal expected to result in the release of hostages detained within Gaza for over 24 months has generated joy and relief across the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

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

To date, 148 captives have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

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

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

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

Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

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

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

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

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

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of all those still detained within Gaza.

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

He said he felt “broken” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the captives who are at last 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 experienced as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has accomplished for us. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

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

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

“Numerous events can happen until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only once the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | The group