Celebratory Displays and a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Agreement to Return Captives

The declaration regarding a deal projected to lead to the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has generated delight and relief throughout the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the release of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

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 in Hostages’ Square

Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the people celebrating.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”

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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the announcement that he would be 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, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

The delight was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

Their brother Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains 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 hardly believe this is real. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he said.

He stated he felt “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has done for us. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage safely home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.

Related Developments

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Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas