Fireworks along with a Toast for Life: Israeli Citizens Rejoice at Agreement to Return Captives
The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives detained within Gaza for over two years has generated delight and comfort throughout the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.
To date, 148 captives have been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the deal being signed.
A crowd began clapping and dancing under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.
Another, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their loved ones.”
- LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
- Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
- EXAMINATION: Significant progress, but war not over yet
Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”
The joy could be felt in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You are coming back.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage 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 pushing for a deal which ensures the homecoming of all those still detained in 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 “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.
Eitan Horn was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“So many things can happen up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. 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 we have the last hostage safely home.”
Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from detainment through a truce agreement earlier in the year.
Related Developments
- ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
- Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord
Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | The group