🔗 Share this article

The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the release captives detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated joy and relief throughout Israel.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

So far, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

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

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.

“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, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

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

Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, which means “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their sibling Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement that brings the homecoming of all those still detained within Gaza.

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

He said he felt “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“Numerous events might occur up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was freed from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group