🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing captives detained within Gaza for more than two years has generated delight and relief across Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

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

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

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

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the people celebrating.

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

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

Families Celebrate with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the announcement that he would be returned home.

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

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”

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

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

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

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he said.

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the captives who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.

Guarded Hope 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 are immensely thankful to the President and all he has done for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.

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

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when the last captive is back home.”

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

Associated Updates

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

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group