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The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives detained within Gaza for over 24 months has generated delight and relief throughout Israel.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return 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.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

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

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the crowd dancing.

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

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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

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

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her daughter.

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

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for an agreement which ensures the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.

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

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage safely home.”

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

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas