Celebratory Displays and a Cheer to Life: Israelis Delight at Agreement Bringing Back Hostages
The declaration of an agreement projected to lead to the release captives detained within Gaza for over 24 months has caused delight and comfort across the nation.
An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The deal—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
To date, 148 captives have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square
Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square located 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—one woman holding up a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.
Another, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the people celebrating.
“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the mother 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 following the news.
Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “To life”, meaning “for 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 taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for such a long time and here it is,” he said.
He stated he felt “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those coming back to their homes but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally coming back.
Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.
“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too early to rejoice.
“Before the final captive returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.
“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
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Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas
