Fireworks and a Cheer for Life: Israelis Rejoice over Agreement to Return Captives

The declaration regarding a deal expected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for over two years has caused delight and comfort across the nation.

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

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

To date, 148 captives have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

Joyous gatherings took place 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—a female attendee holding up a placard that read: “We love Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

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

“I am thrilled—it’s such a relief,” she stated. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

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

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mother and sister of Israeli hostage 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 as she held her daughter.

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

The delight was palpable in the streets in Tel Aviv after the announcement.

Freed Hostages Say Prayers and Toasts

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

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was captured on 7 October 2023, with her remains found in an underground passage in Gaza nearly a year after. He has participated with other hostage families in advocating for a deal which ensures the return of everyone still being held within Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We’ve been waiting for such a long time and here it is,” he expressed.

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin would not be among those coming back to their homes but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are finally returning.

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

Cautious Optimism from Relatives

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

“We are immensely thankful to the President and everything he has accomplished on our behalf. We feel that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

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

“Until the last hostage returns, we’re not opening the champagne. We’re going to keep fighting... until it’s over,” she affirmed.

“So many things can happen until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We just want to express gratitude to all who participated in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once the last captive is safely home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza peace deal
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas