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The announcement regarding a deal projected to lead to the release captives held within Gaza for more than two years has caused joy and comfort throughout Israel.

A group which has campaigned for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it termed a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—still requiring agreed upon the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons and 1,700 detainees from the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—most as part of previous ceasefire deals—51 sets of remains have been recovered and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

Jubilant scenes took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered before the deal being signed.

The gathering started applauding and dancing under US and Israeli flags—one woman displaying a placard saying: “We adore Trump.”

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

Another, Yael, aged 50, wept as she watched 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 reveals Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians mark the agreement
• EXAMINATION: Significant progress, though conflict continues

Relatives Rejoice with Fireworks

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news of his impending homecoming.

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

Viki Cohen, the mother of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My son, you are returning home.”

The joy was palpable in the streets of Tel Aviv following the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Raise Glasses

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, reciting prayers of gratitude, then toasting “To life”, which means “to life”. She has been campaigning for the release of her companions, twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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

Gil Dickman’s cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage in October 2023, with her remains recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has been joining other hostage families in advocating for an agreement which ensures the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

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

He said he was “shattered” that his cousin will not be among those returning to their homes yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last returning.

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

Cautious Optimism from Family Members

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

“We’re more than grateful to President Trump and everything he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this nightmare, and embracing Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.

But she cautioned that it remained too soon to celebrate.

“Until the last hostage returns, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” 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 express gratitude to all who was involved in the work and ensure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only once we have the last hostage back home.”

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

Related Developments

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• What we know about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | The group