Celebratory Displays and a Toast for Life: Israelis Rejoice at Agreement Bringing Back Hostages
The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused delight and comfort across Israel.
An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The agreement—which still must be agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.
To date, 148 captives have been returned—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.
The gathering began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”
- LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza agreement
- Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate deal
- ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet
Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her child.
Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”
The delight was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv after the news.
Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
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 taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in advocating for a deal which ensures the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he said.
He said he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those returning home but was “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are at last returning.
Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she commented.
But she cautioned that it was still too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.
“So many things might occur until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Related Developments
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal
Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas
