Celebratory Displays and a Cheer to Life: Israelis Rejoice over Deal to Return Captives

The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the release captives held within Gaza for over 24 months has caused delight and relief throughout Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed 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 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and moving to music beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see their return home to their loved ones.”

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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending returned home.

“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, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”

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

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the homecoming of all those still detained in 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 was “broken” that Carmel would not be among those returning home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last coming back.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has done on our behalf. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.

“So many things might occur until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from captivity through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas