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The announcement regarding a deal projected to lead to the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated delight and relief across Israel.

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

The agreement—which still must be agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the deal being signed.

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

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

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

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

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending returned home.

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

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

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

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he said.

He said he felt “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those returning home but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to celebrate.

“Until the last hostage returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events might occur up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group