Celebratory Displays and a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Agreement Bringing Back Hostages
The announcement regarding a deal projected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has generated delight and relief across the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “deep appreciation” for what it termed 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 return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.
To date, 148 captives have come back—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled ahead of the deal being signed.
A crowd started applauding and moving to music beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.
Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”
The delight could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he said.
He said he felt “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the hostages who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was taken 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, said she felt like she was living “a dream state”.
“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.
However, she warned that it was still too early to rejoice.
“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.
“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was captured from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier in the year.
Related Developments
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