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The declaration of an agreement expected to result in the release captives held within Gaza for more than two years has caused joy and comfort across the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending homecoming.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her child.

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

The joy could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, which means “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.

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

He said he was “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz 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 felt like she was living “a dream state”.

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

But she cautioned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events might occur up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is safely home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group