Celebratory Displays and a Cheer for Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Deal Bringing Back Hostages
The declaration regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing of hostages detained within Gaza for more than two years has caused joy and relief throughout the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.
The agreement—still requiring approved by 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 detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the agreement’s signing.
A crowd started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see their return home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her child.
Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”
The delight could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv following the news.
Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
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 in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal that brings the homecoming of everyone 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 stated he felt “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “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 together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt like she was living “a dream state”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.
However, she warned that it remained too early to celebrate.
“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.
“So many things 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 work and ensure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage back home.”
Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier this year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza agreement
- What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal
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