Celebratory Displays along with a Toast to Life: Israelis Delight at Deal to Return Hostages
The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused delight and relief across Israel.
An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed an “historic breakthrough”.
The deal—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.
So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.
Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square
Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the deal being signed.
A crowd began clapping and dancing under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the people celebrating.
“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”
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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the announcement that he would be homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her child.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”
The joy was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv following the announcement.
Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.
He stated he was “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those returning home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally coming back.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.
Cautious Optimism from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “a dream state”.
“We are immensely thankful to the President and all he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.
But she cautioned that it was still too early to rejoice.
“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and ensure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal
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