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The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and relief throughout Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering started applauding and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee holding up a placard that read: “We love Trump.”

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

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the people celebrating.

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

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

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.

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

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

The delight could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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 captured on 7 October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement which ensures the homecoming of all those still detained in Gaza.

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

He said he was “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Cautious Optimism from Family Members

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

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

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

“Before the final captive returns, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group