Celebratory Displays along with a Toast to Life: Israelis Delight at Deal to Return Captives
The announcement of an agreement projected to result in the freeing captives detained in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and relief across Israel.
An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.
The deal—which still must be agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.
To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes have unfolded at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.
A crowd started applauding and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee holding up a sign that read: “We love Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their loved ones.”
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Families Celebrate with Fireworks
The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be homecoming.
“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding 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 throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.
Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their brother Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”
Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the homecoming of everyone still being held within Gaza.
“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he said.
He stated he was “shattered” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home but was “glowing with joy” for the families of the hostages who are finally coming back.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished for us. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than ever,” she said.
But she cautioned that it was still too soon to celebrate.
“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she said.
“Numerous events might occur until the last moment which is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when the last captive is safely home.”
Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was released from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.
Related Developments
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