Fireworks along with a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Agreement to Return Captives
The announcement regarding a deal projected to lead to the release captives held within Gaza for more than two years has caused delight and relief across the nation.
A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
So far, 148 captives have been returned—largely through previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square
Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the agreement’s signing.
A crowd started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We love Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “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 celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their brother 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 an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement which ensures the return of everyone still detained within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he said.
He stated he felt “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are finally returning.
Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.
Cautious Optimism from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.
“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she commented.
But she cautioned that it remained too soon to rejoice.
“Until the last hostage returns, 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 which is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and make sure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage back home.”
Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza agreement
- What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord
Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group
