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The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the release captives held within Gaza for more than two years has caused delight and comfort across Israel.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the agreement’s signing.

A crowd started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate deal
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending homecoming.

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

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

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom 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.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he said.

He stated he felt “broken” that Carmel would not be among those coming back to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are finally returning.

Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.

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

“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when the last captive is safely home.”

Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was freed from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas