Celebratory Displays along with a Toast to Life: Israelis Rejoice at Deal Bringing Back Captives

The declaration regarding a deal expected to lead to the release captives detained in the Gaza Strip for over two years has generated delight and relief throughout Israel.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

To date, 148 captives have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—one woman holding up a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

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

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We need to see their return home to their loved ones.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the news of his impending returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still being held in Gaza.

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

He stated he felt “broken” that Carmel will not be among those returning home yet felt “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south 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’re more than grateful to the President and all he has done for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to celebrate.

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

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who participated in the efforts and ensure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Associated Updates

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

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