Fireworks along with a Toast for Life: Israeli Citizens Delight over Agreement Bringing Back Hostages
The announcement regarding a deal expected to lead to the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused delight and comfort across Israel.
An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.
The agreement—still requiring approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.
To date, 148 captives have been returned—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square
Jubilant scenes have unfolded at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled ahead of the deal being signed.
The gathering started applauding and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
Another, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their families.”
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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics
The mother and sister of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My son, you are returning home.”
The delight was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv after the announcement.
Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
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, with her remains recovered from a tunnel 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 being held within Gaza.
“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.
He said he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last returning.
Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.
Guarded Hope from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn remains captive 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 that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.
But she cautioned that it remained too early to celebrate.
“Until the last hostage is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.
“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and ensure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage safely home.”
Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was released from detainment in a ceasefire deal earlier in the year.
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Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas
