Fireworks along with a Cheer to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight at Agreement Bringing Back Captives
The announcement of an agreement expected to lead to the release of hostages held within Gaza for over two years has caused joy and comfort across Israel.
A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.
The agreement—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 dead hostages in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved and eight hostages were freed by rescue.
Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square
Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the deal being signed.
A crowd began clapping and moving to music under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We adore Trump.”
“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.
A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.
“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their loved ones.”
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Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending homecoming.
“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”
The joy was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv after the news.
Released Captives Say Prayers and Raise Glasses
Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari celebrated alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of thankfulness, then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.
Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “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 a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in pushing for an agreement that brings the homecoming of all those still being held within Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he said.
He stated he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those returning home yet felt “glowing with joy” for the relatives of the captives who are at last coming back.
Eitan Horn was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south along with his brother.
Guarded Hope from Relatives
Dalia Cusnir, whose brother-in-law Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she experienced as if she were in “in a dream”.
“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done on our behalf. We feel like it might be the start of the conclusion of this nightmare, and hugging Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too early to celebrate.
“Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.
“Numerous events can happen up to the final instant so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who participated in the work and make sure this agreement is done... 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 | The nation | Hamas
