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The declaration regarding a deal projected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and comfort across Israel.

A group that has advocated for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the agreement’s signing.

A crowd started applauding and moving to music beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

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

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the people celebrating.

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

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.

“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her daughter.

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

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

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, and her body recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of all those still being held within Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We have waited for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.

He said he was “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” 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.

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has accomplished for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she affirmed.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group