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The announcement of an agreement expected to lead to the release captives held in the Gaza Strip for over two years has generated joy and relief throughout Israel.

A group that has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The agreement—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the return of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased captives in return for 250 Palestinian detainees imprisoned for life in Israeli prisons plus 1,700 individuals 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 were freed by rescue.

Celebratory Moments at Hostages Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square located in Tel Aviv as hundreds of people gathered ahead of the agreement’s signing.

The gathering started applauding and moving to music under US and Israeli flags—a female attendee displaying a sign that read: “We adore Trump.”

“This is a wondrous day,” she expressed.

A different person, Yael, aged 50, cried 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 families.”

• LIVE REACTION: Trump announces Gaza deal
• Joy and pain: Palestinians celebrate the agreement
• ANALYSIS: Significant progress, 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 homecoming.

“They are returning!... Matan is coming home!” Einav Zangauker said while holding her child.

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

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

Released Captives Say Prayers and Toasts

Former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari rejoiced alongside another released captive Romi Gonen, uttering blessings of thankfulness, then toasting “To life”, which means “for life”. She has been campaigning for the freedom of her friends, the Berman twins Gali and Ziv.

Their sibling Liran Berman posted: “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, and her body found in a tunnel in Gaza nearly a year after. He has been joining other captives’ relatives in pushing for a deal that brings the return of all those still being held in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is actually happening. We have waited for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

He said he felt “broken” that his cousin would not be among those coming back home yet felt “radiant with happiness” for the families of the captives who are finally coming back.

Eitan Horn was seized from Nir Oz kibbutz in Israel’s south along with his brother.

Guarded Hope from Relatives

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

“We are immensely thankful to the President and all he has done on our behalf. It seems that this could be the beginning of the end of this ordeal, and embracing Eitan seems nearer than before,” she said.

However, she warned that it remained too soon to rejoice.

“Until the last hostage returns, we won’t open the bubbly. We will continue struggling... until the end,” she said.

“So many things can happen up to the final instant which is why we are extremely cautious. We just want to thank everyone who participated in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only when the last captive is safely home.”

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

Associated Updates

• ‘Historic chance’: Global response to initial phase of Gaza peace deal
• Known details about the ‘first phase’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza war | Israel | Hamas