🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing captives held within Gaza for more than two years has generated delight and comfort throughout the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release 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 and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

So far, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the agreement’s signing.

A crowd began clapping and dancing under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

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

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the people celebrating.

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

• LIVE REACTION: Trump reveals Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

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

“They’re coming back!... 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 was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning 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’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for a deal that brings the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

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

He stated he felt “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.

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

However, she warned that it remained too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘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 | The group