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The announcement regarding a deal projected to result in the freeing captives held within Gaza for over 24 months has generated joy and relief across Israel.

An organization that has advocated for the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza expressed “profound gratitude” for what it called a “landmark achievement”.

The deal—which still must be approved by the Israeli war cabinet—involves the release of 20 living hostages 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 the Gaza region.

To date, 148 hostages have come back—largely through earlier truce agreements—51 sets of remains have been retrieved while eight hostages were freed by rescue.

Jubilant Scenes in Hostages’ Square

Jubilant scenes have unfolded in Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv with crowds of individuals assembled before the agreement’s signing.

The gathering began clapping and dancing beneath American and Israeli banners—a female attendee displaying a sign saying: “We love Trump.”

“It’s a magical day,” she expressed.

Another, 50-year-old Yael, cried as she watched the crowd dancing.

“I’m very excited—it’s such a relief,” she said. “We need to see their return home to their loved ones.”

• REAL-TIME RESPONSE: Trump reveals Gaza deal
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• EXAMINATION: Major breakthrough, but war not over yet

Relatives Rejoice Using Pyrotechnics

The mom and sibling of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker set off fireworks to mark the announcement that he would be homecoming.

“They’re coming back!... Matan is on his way home!” Einav Zangauker exclaimed while holding her child.

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

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

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 toasting “To life”, meaning “to life”. She has advocated for the release of her companions, 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, and her body recovered from an underground passage in Gaza almost a year later. He has participated with other hostage families in pushing for an agreement that brings the return of everyone still detained in Gaza.

“I hardly believe this is real. We’ve been waiting for so long and now it’s here,” he expressed.

He said he was “shattered” that Carmel would not be among those returning home but was “radiant with happiness” for the relatives of the captives who are at last coming back.

Eitan Horn was taken 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, remarked she experienced like she was living “in a dream”.

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

However, she warned that it was still too soon to rejoice.

“Before the final captive is here, we’re not opening the bubbly. We’re going to keep fighting... until the end,” she said.

“So many things might occur up to the final instant so this is why we are extremely cautious. We simply wish to express gratitude to all who participated in the efforts and ensure this deal is finalized... We will celebrate only once 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 released from detainment through a truce agreement earlier this year.

Related Developments

• ‘Historic chance’: World reacts to first stage of Gaza agreement
• Known details regarding the ‘initial stage’ of the Gaza accord

Israel-Gaza conflict | Israel | Hamas