The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused joy and relief across the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The agreement—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.
So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.
The gathering started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the people celebrating.
“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their loved ones.”
The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv following the announcement.
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained 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 was “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.
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 accomplished for us. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.
But she cautioned that it was still too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive returns, we’re not opening the champagne. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.
“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when we have the last hostage safely home.”
Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group
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