Celebratory Displays and a Toast for Life: Israelis Delight at Agreement to Return Hostages
The announcement regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for more than 24 months has caused delight and relief across the nation.
A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—will see the release of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.
To date, 148 captives have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the agreement’s signing.
A crowd started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—a female attendee holding up a placard that read: “We love Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate with Fireworks
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight could be felt throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We have waited for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.
He said he felt “broken” that his cousin will not be among those returning home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she commented.
But she cautioned that it remained too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.
“So many things might occur until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when we have the last hostage safely home.”
Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Related Developments
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