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The announcement of an agreement expected to result in the freeing of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has caused joy and relief across the nation.

A group which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “deep appreciation” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—will see 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 the Gaza region.

To date, 148 captives have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been retrieved and eight hostages have been rescued.

Jubilant Scenes at Hostages Square

Joyous gatherings took place in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the agreement’s signing.

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, Yael, aged 50, cried while observing the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see them come back home to their families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Happiness and sorrow: Palestinians celebrate deal
• ANALYSIS: Major breakthrough, though conflict continues

Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of a captive Israeli Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be returned home.

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

Viki Cohen, the parent of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, posted on social media: “My child, you are coming home.”

The delight was palpable throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.

Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of gratitude, then toasting “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the freedom of her companions, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

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 captured on 7 October 2023, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other hostage families in pushing for a deal that brings the homecoming of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We have waited for so long and here it is,” he expressed.

He stated he felt “broken” that Carmel would not be among those coming back 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 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, said she experienced as if she were in “a dream state”.

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

But she cautioned that it was still too soon to celebrate.

“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“Numerous events might occur until the last moment so this is why we’re being so, so careful. We simply wish to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this agreement is done... We will celebrate only when the last captive is safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Momentous opportunity’: World reacts to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza peace deal

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas