Celebratory Displays along with a Toast to Life: Israeli Citizens Delight over Deal Bringing Back Captives

The declaration regarding a deal expected to lead to the freeing captives detained in the Gaza Strip for more than 24 months has caused joy and comfort across the nation.

An organization that has advocated for the return of Israeli captives in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called an “historic breakthrough”.

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

So far, 148 captives have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled before the deal being signed.

The gathering began clapping and dancing beneath American and Israeli banners—one woman holding up a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the people celebrating.

“I am thrilled—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians mark deal
• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mother and sister of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker lit fireworks in celebration of the announcement of his impending returned home.

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

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

The joy was palpable throughout the avenues in Tel Aviv following the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her friends, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, with her remains 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 return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I can’t quite believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and now it’s here,” he said.

He said he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those returning to their homes but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.

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

Cautious Optimism from Family Members

Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza, said she felt like she was living “in a dream”.

“We are immensely thankful to President Trump and all he has done for us. We feel like it might be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan feels closer than before,” she said.

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

“Before the final captive returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she affirmed.

“So many things might occur until the last moment so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the efforts and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is back home.”

Eitan was taken from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from detainment through a truce agreement earlier in the year.

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas