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The declaration of an agreement projected to result in the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and comfort across the nation.

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

The deal—still requiring approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 captives have been returned—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath American and Israeli banners—a female attendee displaying a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their loved ones.”

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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

The joy could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “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 dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the homecoming of all those still detained within Gaza.

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

He said he felt “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are finally returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful 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 commented.

However, she warned that it remained too soon to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she affirmed.

“Numerous events can happen until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and ensure 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 this year.

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza agreement
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas