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The declaration of an agreement expected to result in the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused joy and relief across the nation.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.

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

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

• LIVE REACTION: Trump reveals Gaza agreement
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement of his impending homecoming.

“They are returning!... 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 delight could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning 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 captured on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement which ensures the return of all those still detained within Gaza.

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

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the families of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt 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 start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

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

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.

“So many things can happen until the last moment 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 will celebrate only when we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas