Fireworks along with a Cheer for Life: Israeli Citizens Rejoice over Agreement to Return Captives

The declaration regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives held in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused delight and relief across Israel.

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

The deal—which still must be agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli jails and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

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

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the people celebrating.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”

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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be returned home.

“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

The delight could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

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 been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still being held within Gaza.

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

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she experienced as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished for us. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too early to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel along with his brother Iair, who was freed from detainment through a truce agreement earlier this year.

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas