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The announcement regarding a deal projected to lead to the release captives detained within Gaza for more than two years has generated joy and comfort across the nation.

An organization which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian detainees serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered ahead of the deal being signed.

A crowd began clapping and dancing beneath US and Israeli flags—a female attendee holding up a placard saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their loved ones.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump reveals Gaza agreement
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Significant progress, but war not over yet

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the news of his impending returned home.

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

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

The joy could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv after the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 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 that brings the homecoming of all those still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He said he felt “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those coming back to their homes but was “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.

Cautious Optimism from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced like she was living “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to the President and everything he has accomplished for us. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.

However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.

“Numerous events can happen until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who was involved in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate 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.

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas