🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated joy and relief across the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages 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 been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

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

“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the people celebrating.

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

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

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

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

“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.

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

The joy was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Released Captives Offer 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 companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.

He said he was “broken” that Carmel would not be among those returning home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said 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 like it might be the start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to celebrate.

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

“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas