Fireworks along with a Toast to Life: Israeli Citizens Rejoice over Deal Bringing Back Hostages
The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the release of hostages detained within Gaza for over 24 months has caused joy and relief throughout Israel.
An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.
To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square
Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the deal being signed.
A crowd began clapping and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.
A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate with Fireworks
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.
“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”
The joy could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning 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’re coming home.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.
“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he said.
He stated he felt “broken” that Carmel would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are at last coming back.
Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump 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 feels closer than before,” she commented.
However, she warned that it remained too soon to rejoice.
“Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“So many things might occur until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who participated in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza agreement
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord
Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group
