Celebratory Displays along with a Toast for Life: Israeli Citizens Rejoice at Deal Bringing Back Captives
The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the release captives detained within Gaza for more than two years has caused delight and comfort across the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.
So far, 148 captives have been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.
A crowd began clapping and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.
Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.
“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You’re coming home.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of all those still detained in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for such a long time and here it is,” he said.
He said he felt “broken” that Carmel would not be among those returning home but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Family Members
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 all he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel that this could be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.
But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.
“Until the last hostage 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’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 when the last captive is back home.”
Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Related Developments
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to first stage of Gaza peace deal
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord
Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group
