Fireworks and a Cheer to Life: Israelis Delight over Deal Bringing Back Hostages

The declaration of an agreement projected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for over two years has caused delight and relief across Israel.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the release of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 captives 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 at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—one woman holding up a placard that read: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their loved ones.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza agreement
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Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her child.

Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

The delight was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv following the news.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, 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 are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in 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 a deal that brings the return of all those still detained in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

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 remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it was still too soon to celebrate.

“Until the last hostage is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only once the last captive is back home.”

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

Associated Updates

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

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group