Fireworks along with a Toast to Life: Israelis Delight at Deal to Return Captives
The declaration of an agreement projected to lead to the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for more than two years has generated delight and relief across the nation.
An organization which has campaigned for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza voiced “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.
The deal—which still must be approved by Israel’s war cabinet—involves the return of 20 hostages alive as well as the remains of 28 dead hostages in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli jails plus 1,700 individuals from Gaza.
To date, 148 hostages have been returned—most as part of earlier truce agreements—51 bodies have been recovered while eight hostages have been rescued.
Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square
Joyous gatherings have unfolded at Hostages Square located in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals gathered before the agreement’s signing.
A crowd started applauding and dancing under American and Israeli banners—one woman displaying a sign saying: “We adore Trump.”
“It’s a magical day,” the woman said.
A different person, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the people celebrating.
“I’m very excited—it is such a comfort,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their families.”
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Families Celebrate Using Pyrotechnics
The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker lit fireworks to mark the news that he would be returned home.
“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said as she held her daughter.
Viki Cohen, the parent of captive Israeli Nimrod Cohen, shared online: “My child, you are coming home.”
The delight could be felt throughout the avenues of Tel Aviv following the news.
Released Captives Offer Prayers and Toasts
Ex-captive of British-Israeli origin Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then cheering “L’chaim”, which means “for life”. She has advocated for the release of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.
Their brother Liran Berman wrote: “My dear Gali and Ziv, I adore you. You’re coming home.”
The cousin of Gil Dickman Carmel Gat was taken hostage on 7 October 2023, and her body found in an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for a deal which ensures the homecoming of everyone still detained in Gaza.
“I can’t quite believe this is real. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.
He said he was “broken” that his cousin will not be among those coming back home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the hostages who are at last coming back.
Eitan Horn was seized from kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel together with his sibling.
Guarded Hope from Family Members
Dalia Cusnir, whose relative by marriage Eitan Horn remains captive 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 nightmare, and hugging Eitan feels closer than ever,” she said.
However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.
“Before the final captive is here, we won’t open the champagne. We will continue struggling... until it’s over,” she affirmed.
“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who was involved in the work and make sure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when we have the last hostage safely home.”
Eitan was taken from kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel’s south together with his sibling Iair, who was freed from captivity through a truce agreement earlier in the year.
Associated Updates
- ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
- What we know regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza peace deal
Israel-Gaza conflict | The nation | Hamas