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The declaration of an agreement projected to result in the freeing of hostages detained in the Gaza Strip for over 24 months has caused joy and relief across the nation.

An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—a female attendee displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

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

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

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

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

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

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

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

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

Freed Hostages Offer Prayers and Toasts

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 been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained within Gaza.

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

He stated he was “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last returning.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to celebrate.

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“So many things might occur until the last moment so this 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 the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment through a truce agreement earlier this year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza agreement
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | Hamas