The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the release of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has generated delight and comfort across the nation.
An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The agreement—which still must be agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences 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 while eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.
A crowd started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”
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 as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”
The joy could be felt throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the news.
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling 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 an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.
He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those returning home but was “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back.
Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
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 the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too soon to celebrate.
“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.
“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when the last captive is back home.”
Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier this year.
Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas
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