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The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the release of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused joy and comfort throughout the nation.

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

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 prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

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

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the people celebrating.

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

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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.

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

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

The joy was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, which means “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still being held within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and here it is,” he expressed.

He stated he was “broken” that his cousin would not be among those returning home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has done for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother Iair, who was freed from detainment through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group