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The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained within Gaza for more than 24 months has generated delight and comfort throughout the nation.

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

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a placard that read: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, though conflict continues

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

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

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

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”, meaning “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.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.

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

He stated he was “broken” that Carmel would not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.

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 remains captive in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has done for us. It seems like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas