Celebratory Displays and a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight over Deal to Return Captives

The announcement regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing captives detained within Gaza for more than two years has caused joy and relief across the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

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

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept while observing the people celebrating.

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
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• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.

“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter.

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

The joy was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement that brings the homecoming of everyone still being held within Gaza.

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

He said he felt “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back.

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

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful 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 seems nearer than before,” she said.

But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant 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 deal is finalized... 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 released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

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