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The announcement of an agreement expected to result in the release captives detained in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused joy and comfort throughout Israel.

A group that has advocated for the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—will see the return of 20 hostages alive and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and 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 gathered before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” the woman said.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched the people celebrating.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We must witness their return home to their loved ones.”

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

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks in celebration of the news that he would be returned home.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter.

Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”

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

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “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, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for such a long time and here it is,” he said.

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.

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 remains captive in Gaza, said she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and all he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.

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

“Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We shall rejoice only when we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas