Celebratory Displays along with a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Deal Bringing Back Hostages
The declaration of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing captives detained within Gaza for more than 24 months has caused joy and relief across the nation.
A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered ahead of the deal being signed.
The gathering started applauding and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate with Fireworks
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.
Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he said.
He stated he felt “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those returning home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Relatives
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 President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too early to celebrate.
“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
Related Developments
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza agreement
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal
Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group
