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The declaration of an agreement projected to lead to the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused delight and relief throughout Israel.

An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 deceased captives in exchange for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

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

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people assembled before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and dancing beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, wept while observing the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she stated. “We must witness their return home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

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

“They’re coming back!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”

The delight could be felt in the streets of Tel Aviv following the announcement.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then cheering “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman wrote: “My Gali and Ziv, I love you so much. You are coming back.”

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and here it is,” he said.

He stated he was “broken” that Carmel will not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Guarded Hope from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, remarked she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done 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 said.

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

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

“So many things can happen until the last moment which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | The nation | The group