Fireworks along with a Cheer to Life: Israelis Delight at Deal to Return Captives

The announcement regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has caused delight and comfort throughout the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—still requiring agreed upon Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive 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.

So far, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

A crowd started applauding and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

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

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

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We must witness them come back home to their loved ones.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

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

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

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

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced with another freed hostage Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then cheering “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was captured in October 2023, with her remains recovered from a tunnel in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in advocating for an agreement which ensures 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 now it’s here,” he expressed.

He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back to their homes yet felt “glowing with joy” for the families of the captives who are at last coming back.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive in Gaza, said she felt as if she were in “a dream state”.

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has done on our behalf. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she commented.

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 said.

“So many things might occur 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 deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when 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 detainment through a truce agreement earlier this year.

Related Developments

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

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas