Celebratory Displays and a Toast to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight over Deal to Return Hostages

The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused delight and comfort throughout Israel.

A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals 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 in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled ahead of the agreement’s signing.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—a female attendee holding up a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the people celebrating.

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her child.

Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”

The delight could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated 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’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still detained within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he said.

He stated he was “broken” that his cousin would not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

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

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

However, she warned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is back home.”

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

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