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The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the freeing of hostages held within Gaza for more than two years has caused delight and comfort throughout Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

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

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

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

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza agreement
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.

Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

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

Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

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

Their sibling Liran Berman wrote: “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 found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the homecoming of all those still being held within Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling.

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 the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

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

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only once we have the last hostage back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza agreement
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group