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The announcement of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained within Gaza for over two years has caused delight and comfort throughout the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the release of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled ahead of the agreement’s signing.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried while observing the people celebrating.

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

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate deal
• ANALYSIS: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.

“They are returning!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”

The delight was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “To life”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal which ensures the return of everyone still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He said he felt “broken” that Carmel will not be among those returning to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.

However, she warned that it remained too early to rejoice.

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

“Numerous events might occur up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and ensure this deal is finalized... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage safely home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity in a ceasefire deal earlier this year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | The group