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The declaration of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing captives detained in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and relief throughout Israel.

A group that has advocated for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.

The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a placard that read: “We love Trump.”

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

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“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 reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Significant progress, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the news of his impending homecoming.

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

Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”

The joy could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv after the news.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 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 which ensures the return of all those still detained 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 stated he felt “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Relatives

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

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished 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 commented.

However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“Numerous events 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 efforts and ensure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza agreement
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas