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The declaration of an agreement expected to lead to the freeing of hostages detained within Gaza for more than two years has caused joy and relief across Israel.

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

The deal—still requiring approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered and eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments 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 began clapping and moving to music 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, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see their return home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.

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

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman 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 captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still detained in Gaza.

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

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

Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling.

Guarded Hope from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, remarked she experienced as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she said.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once the last captive is safely home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas