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The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused delight and comfort throughout the nation.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 captives have been returned—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the deal being signed.

The gathering began clapping and moving to music beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a placard saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Significant progress, though conflict continues

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 coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her daughter.

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

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

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

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement which ensures the homecoming of everyone still being held in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He stated he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those returning home yet felt “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling.

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

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

“We are immensely thankful to the President and all he has accomplished for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and hugging Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

But she cautioned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when we have the last hostage safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza agreement
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas