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The declaration regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for over two years has caused joy and comfort throughout the nation.

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

The agreement—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been retrieved while eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending homecoming.

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

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

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

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, 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 dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 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 an agreement that brings the return of all those still being held within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

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

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

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has done for us. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.

However, she warned that it was still too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is safely home.”

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel along with his brother Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas